Port Phillip Bay death prompts calls for more jet-ski restrictions

Parties are demanding a greater separation of swimmers and jet-skiers in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay after a man struck and injured while swimming off Port Melbourne on Friday died in hospital.

Port Phillip Mayor Rachel Powning said the Council received "endless" complaints about jet-skis in Port Phillip Bay, despite its jurisdiction ending at the water's edge, where Parks Victoria takes over.

Mayor Powning told The Age newspaper "our preference would be for dedicated jet-ski areas. We don't have a preference for the mixed zones, of which there are currently many."

The present zones were drawn up in 2009 when laws were introduced to stamp out jet-skiers putting swimmers at risk.

However, Port Melbourne Yacht Club Commodore John Carrig, said he saw jet-skiers behaving inappropriately on the water "every day", adding "we see them going fast when they shouldn't be, in areas where they shouldn't be.

Carrig added "they annoy us on the water regularly and they are not aware, which is patently dangerous.

"Swimmers must be careful and cautious but the power is in the hands of the jet-skier."

The swimmer, 51, whose family were on the beach at the time, died in The Alfred hospital on Sunday after sustaining severe head injuries.

The Age quoted a police source saying that the two men aboard the jet-ski entered a restricted zone 200 metres from the shore near Lagoon Pier about 5.50pm. The two men were allegedly warned to leave the area by two fishermen on the pier.

Police are investigating whether the deceased was swimming in the protected area between Lagoon Pier and Kerferd Road but confirmed speed was a factor.

Senior Constable Stephen Carter said jet-skiers were "a problem right around the bay", adding "we do have issues with jet-skiers over summer.

"It's probably just a small percentage - but we do have issues with certain jet-skiers."

Beach users told The Age that recreational jet-skiers were innately unpredictable compared with other craft, likening their activity to "show boating".

Mayor Powning agrees, stating "they are obviously powerful machines and we would certainly like to not see them on those beaches where there are a lot of people coming to swim.

"We'd like the opportunity to sit down with Parks Victoria and have a look at the way the whole system is operating.

"The foreshore areas should be primarily for swimmers, particularly in the inner-city areas where it's heavily populated and heavily used."

Vicki Karalis of the Sandringham Foreshore Association said it was time for laws affecting jet-skis to be reviewed. She said new restrictions were needed near crowded beaches, along with more markers, stating "we don't want to wait for another disaster before authorities act."

Image courtesy of City of Port Phillip. Image used for illustrative purporses only. 

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