[ad_1]
As traffic on the beaches and waterways increases during the summer, so do the number of jets flying around.
But those tempted to ask a friend or rider to get on their jet ski might want to think again because riders are now under stricter scrutiny as NSW Maritime cracks down on unlicensed drivers with massive fines for offenders.
NSW marine officers checked for licences, life jackets, PWC behavior stickers over the weekend and informed thousands of riders about personal watercraft (PWC) safety as part of their Operation Ride Right campaign.
Those caught without a license can face a $500 on-the-spot fine and a 12-month suspension from driving.
There has been a huge increase in licensed jet pilots over the past five years, with 30,000 new arrivals bringing the total to 90,000 jet pilots in the state, with almost 60,000 of them based in Sydney.
“We are also seeing a large increase in younger jet operators, with those under 30 making up around 40 per cent of new PWC license holders over the past five years,” NSW Maritime said.
“Unlicensed riding is not as uncommon as you might think. You get a lot of unlicensed riders, Davey said.
In the past 12 months, there have been nearly 1,800 jet-setting offenses in the state, but only about 600 of those offenses resulted in a $500 fine, with the remaining 1,200 or so getting away with a formal warning
The most frequent offenses occurred in Georges River, where 350 people were caught breaking the law, Port Hacking, where 227 were caught, and Botany Bay, where 219 were caught.
Last weekend alone there were 89 formal warnings and 52 fines handed out, with around 23 per cent of these relating to licensing or registration – but authorities spoke to more than 3,000.
CCTV camera among the new safety measures
The main aim of the Ride Right campaign is to increase water safety.
“We’ve seen the popularity of jets grow and we get it, they’re fun! But they can be dangerous,” NSW Maritime said.
“We know that jet pilots are all too common in accidents and collisions.”
People involved in a PWC accident also have a 50 per cent chance of being seriously injured, NSW Maritime said.
Davey added that jets are “fast, heavy and don’t offer much protection” and urged riders to “use common sense if jumping on one”.
Transport NSW also noted that a new CCTV camera would be installed at Bonny Vale, new speed limit signs and restriction zones put in place at Botany Bay and the Georges River, and a new ‘rowing craft only area’ created in Ettalong.
[ad_2]
