Fines Double In Powerski Crackdown
The Age
Saturday December 21, 1996
Fines for powerski users who break the law and disturb swimmers have been doubled under a State Government crackdown announced yesterday.
The on-the-spot fines, introduced by the Marine Board and the State Boating Council and announced by the Minister for Roads and Ports, Mr Geoff Craige, mean offenders will pay between $80 and $240.
In another move to keep Port Phillip Bay safe over summer, Parks Victoria (formerly Melbourne Parks and Waterways) will test exclusive-use zones and exclusion zones for power water craft users from 1 January. Mr Craige said that the Water Police/Marine Board patrol would visit the zones regularly over summer.
Two new Canadian-built, $12,000, three-seater powerskis able to reach 80 kilometres an hour have been leased, to be used along with a jet boat, and additional funds of $30,000 have been provided for the increased water patrols.
Mr Craige said all personal water craft, including powerskis, aqua scooters, jet bikes, jet skis, wave runners and ski-free motorised surfboards, would come under scrutiny by the patrols.
A personal water craft-only zone will be north of the Seaford jetty, with access via the Patterson river, while a no-craft zone will be from the Frankston pier to and including the Olivers Hill boat ramp.
These zones add to the bay's no boating zones near lifesaving clubs and no personal craft zones.
Complaints about powerskis in the bay in recent years have included speeding and their use in prohibited zones.
The worst incident occurred in 1995 when a 12-year-old boy was killed in a collision with a powerski at South Werribee beach.
Mr Craige said: "The doubling of on-the-spot fines is intended to make breaching the safety rules an unacceptable alternative."
A radio campaign would be held in early January informing personal water craft owners of the new fines and zones and an information kit, containing a rules brochure, a label outlining speed restrictions and a location map, would also be sent to them, he said.
According to Heytrack, the company that imported the new powerskis to be used in patrols, there has been about a 15 per cent annual increase in powerski use since 1991.
The crackdown follows a Marine Board investigation of personal water craft.
NEW FINES FOR POWERSKIS:
Safety equipment missing or broken: $80*.
Speeding: $160.
Skiing in prohibited areas: $160.
Careless or reckless skiing: $240.
* per item.
© 1996 The Age
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