An article from 7 News in Australia, shines the light on another jet ski crackdown in New South Wales. This time the NSW Maritime officers are going after riders who modify their jet skis in order to reach higher speeds. “It’s got a modified exhaust … you need to get it changed back, then patch the hole,” an officer told one rider in video obtained by 7NEWS.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a 93 percent increase in the number of jet ski riders. Moreover, the surge in jet ski purchases has created a 147 percent increase the number of tickets issued on the waterways. It’s chaos on the waters with all of the new riders and riders and who have no concern for others.
As a result, SW officers have their hands full, trying to keep the peace on Sydney waterways. They are extremely concerned about the number of new jet ski riders who don’t know the rules. However, the biggest complaint is PWC riders intimidating other waterway users with their noisy turbo powered skis.
Damian Logue from NSW Maritime told 7News that boat and safety officers have taken a zero-tolerance approach to the guys on modified skis. It is illegal to modify a jet ski for recreational use. If a rider is seen and caught driving a modified jet ski, they will be taken off the water. The NSW Maritime Officers are not playing.
I can’t find anywhere in legislation in NSW where it says it is “ illegal to modify a jetski “ ! What is considered a modification ? Changing the Impeller, scoop grate , ride plate , sponsons , trim tabs ? All these things are routine modifications that have taken place for decades . Boats have No such restrictions, why now are Jetskis ? I would suggest this is a racist action against the “ Lebanese “ community that predominantly ride jetskis in these Sydney waterways. Maritime authority targets this ethnic group with rules No one has ever heard of before.
NSW has a consistent record of singling out PWC. It’s local government representation problem. Claiming “racism” is the most intellectually-bankrupt argument possible.
Racist? HaHa! Heck yeah, everything is “systemic racism” and “white supremacists” these days.
Maybe if they banned only modded Yamahas vs. modded Sea Doos! You know … Japanese vs. Canadian.
Geez!
Racism in this context is an absolutely lazy and morally repugnant term to use.
Sydney is full of idiot PWC riders and it doesn’t take a genius to see that. Irrespective of the community they come from.