Reckless jet ski riders prompt water safety crackdown

A WATER safety warning has been issued following Victoria Police’s Water Police Squad responding to more than 100 incidents in the first week of 2025 – far surpassing the 17 recorded during the same period last year.

Many callouts have been linked to dangerous jet ski behavior, including speeding, operating too close to swimmers, and collisions with other vessels.

Inspector James Dalton from the Water Police Squad said patrols would continue across the state’s waterways, including beaches, bays, and inland areas.

“While most people do the right thing, there are some who show blatant disregard for the safety of other water users.

“Already we’ve seen multiple serious collisions on the water.

“These young people are lucky to be alive, but instead of enjoying the summer they’re now recovering in hospital with serious injuries.

“People need to remember that a split-second decision can have lifelong consequences.”

Several serious incidents have been recorded across the state this year.

On January 4, a jet ski and boat collided at Safety Beach at about 2.45pm.A 14-year-old boy on the jet ski was airlifted to hospital with serious upper body injuries, while two other jet ski passengers, aged 43 and 14, were rescued and taken to hospital by road. Two boat passengers sustained minor injuries.

That same day in Rye, a jet ski carrying three teenagers nosedived into a wave, throwing its occupants overboard. While the teenagers were uninjured, police rescued the trio and towed the severely damaged jet ski.

The following day, two jet skis collided off Parkdale Beach. A 19-year-old rider sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

“Water Police will continue to patrol the state’s waterways this summer, but vessel operators need to take some responsibility for their own behaviour and safety, because we can’t be everywhere at once,” Inspector

Dalton said.

“That means wearing a lifejacket, respecting the safety of other water users, and carrying the mandatory safety equipment.”