Water Police checked 80 vessels and issued almost 30 infringement notices to boat and personal watercraft (PWC) operators for offending on local inland waterways over the Australia Day long weekend.
Operations JetLock and Reinforcement saw enforcement agencies attend Lake Eppalock, Waranga Basin, Greens Lake and Lake Nagambie between Saturday 23 January and Tuesday 26 January, with Water Police being joined by local uniform members, Marine Safety Victoria and Fisheries Victoria.
The two operations were aimed to influence dangerous behaviour to prevent serious marine incidents on inland waterways.
Twenty-eight infringement notices were issued for offences, with the majority being for the dangerous operation of a vessel including speeding. One offence for exceeding the alcohol limit was also detected.
Anyone who witnesses dangerous behaviour on the water can report non-urgent incidents via the Police Assistance Line 131 444. In an emergency contact Triple Zero (000).
Quotes attributable to Water Police Acting Sergeant Justin Ivory
"Overall there were a high volume of vessels on the inland waterways being patrolled by Water Police, and while we saw good behaviour on the water from a lot of boat and PWC operations, enforcement agencies detected a high amount of hoon behaviour on PWCs as well as a high amount of non-compliance in relation to marine safety legislation.
"We don't want to see any family having to deal with the consequences of carelessness or dangerous behaviour on the water. So Water Police will continue to patrol our waterways to keep everyone safe."
