Maritime Safety Queensland adds jet skis to its enforcement team
In the lead-up to summer Maritime Safety Queensland is rolling out its first fleet of jet skis in more than 10 yearsMaritime Safety Queensland has boosted its enforcement team in time for summer by adding a fleet of brand new jet skis that will target boaties and personal watercraft users.
It is the first time in more than 10 years that Queensland Maritime has used jet skis for patrol duties.
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Four brand-new Sea-Doo GTX 155 watercraft decked out in Maritime Safety Queensland livery and fitted with blue flashing lights will join the fleet of seven Queensland water police and four Queensland fisheries jet skis on patrol.
The four Sea-Doos are on trial for 12 months before a decision is made whether to continue using them for enforcement on Queensland waterways.
Police and maritime officers in NSW have run large fleets of personal watercraft for more than a decade, often deploying them to target problem areas in the peak of summer.
“We’ve launched a new capability in south-east Queensland, the Maritime Enforcement Team,” Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell said.
“This team has been set up especially to make sure our waterways are as safe as they can be. We’re seeing an increase in boat ownership and most particular in personal watercraft ownership throughout south-east Queensland.
“We want to make sure that industry continues to flourish (and) more people can get on our waterways.”
Getting people home
However, he said, the priority was to get everyone home at the end of a day on the water.
“We want every single trip to be a safe trip,” said Mitchell. “Make sure if you’re on our waterways you understand your responsibilities.
"You understand licencing, you understand safety equipment, and that you’re behaving in a manner that doesn’t have an adverse impact on others.”
He said speed zones would be enforced and there would be more licence checks of boaties and personal watercraft riders.
“Expect to see us on the waterway, expect to be stopped. Make sure you understand speed limits … in the waterway that you’re in,” said Mitchell.
“We want everyone to enjoy what are some of the most pristine waterways in the country but we want everyone to go home safely after every trip.”
Mitchell said all officers assigned to the Maritime Enforcement Team held a minimum Coxswain Grade 1 Certificate of Competency, a personal watercraft licence and had undertaken specialised accredited PWC training.
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