St Geogre and Sutherland Shire Leader. By Murray Trembath.
Twenty-nine fines of up to $500 were handed out for unsafe and antisocial behaviour by jet-ski riders and “boaties” on Botany Bay, Georges River and Port Hacking last weekend.
The most common offences were speeding, not carrying correct safety equipment and not wearing a lifejacket when boating alone.
NSW Maritime boating safety officers, on jet-skis and patrol boats, carried out 368 inspections.
In addition to fines, 21 official cautions were issued.
Penalties include:
- Vessels Speeding – $100 for speed under 10 knots (more than the speed limit) and $250 for over 10 knots (more than the speed limit).
- PWCs (jet-skis) speeding – $250 for under 10 knots (over the speed limit) and $500 for 10 knots (over the speed limit).
- Not Carrying correct safety equipment – $100 single item and $250 multiple items or $250 for any lifejacket offence.
- Not wearing a lifejacket when boating alone – $250.
The operation, called Tow the Line, was also conducted on other waterways in Sydney and the Central Coast.
Read the full story at The Leader.
