Police Crack Down On Water Hoons

The Water Police Squad has responded to more than 500 incidents already this summer, prompting a safety warning ahead of the Australia Day long weekend as temperatures climb and waterways become busier.

About 400 of the callouts involved vessel collisions, sinkings, people needing rescue, injuries on boats or jet skis and mechanical failures. Another 100 incidents related to dangerous jet ski behaviour, including speeding and riding too close to swimmers.

With many Wyndham residents expected to use local waterways such as Werribee South or head to nearby beaches including Altona and Williamstown, police say the long weekend poses heightened risks.

Water Police will be out in force across Port Phillip Bay and surrounding waterways, including inner Melbourne beaches, Altona, Williamstown, Hastings and the Mornington Peninsula.

Patrols will also extend to popular holiday destinations further afield, including the Surf Coast, Paynesville and inland waterways such as Lake Eildon.

Boat ramps will be a key focus, with police conducting breath tests, licence checks and vessel inspections. Officers will be checking for mandatory safety equipment, including lifejackets, fire extinguishers and torches.

Victorian law requires lifejackets to be worn on powered vessels up to 4.8 metres, when travelling solo and in higher-risk situations. Jet ski riders and kayakers must wear a lifejacket at all times, while children under 12 are required to wear one whenever they are in open areas of a vessel.

So far this summer, around 280 infringement notices have been issued, most linked to jet ski offences. While the Mornington Peninsula has been identified as a major hotspot, police say enforcement will apply across all waterways.

Operation Summersafe will run over the Australia Day long weekend, involving joint patrols by Water Police and local police at busy beachside locations.

Mobile police facilities will be stationed at St Kilda, Mordialloc and Rye, with additional operations at Altona, Williamstown, Port Melbourne, Safety Beach and Portsea.

Police are urging Wyndham residents and holidaymakers to follow the rules, wear lifejackets and operate vessels responsibly to reduce the risk of incidents on the water.