A joint NSW Police and NSW Roads and Maritime Services operation saw 162 boats and 128 jet skis stopped and checked during a compliance operation in Sydney over the weekend, with plans to now take the operation statewide.
The Marine Area Command’s Detective Acting Inspector, Christine McDonald said the operation was the first of many to be conducted across NSW this summer with 16 boating infringements and 13 formal warnings issued on its first weekend.
“Operation Riptide is a highly-visible and mobile policing strategy targeting vessels and personal watercraft compliance and safety across waterways state-wide throughout summer,” Acting Inspector McDonald said.
“NSW Police are urging the public to make safety the priority when in, on or around water this summer,” she said.
“The key to being safe on the water is assessing the environment you are in and taking simple precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and others.”
Acting Inspector McDonald said the majority of infringement notices issued over the weekend were to jet ski riders who were riding irregularly on the water.
“We’d like to remind all jet ski riders that this type of offence carries a $250 fine,”
“Police will be actively monitoring this kind of behaviour during the festive season and into the new year,” Acting Inspector McDonald said.
