My family love boating and we spent a lovely few days on the Gold Coast Seaway over Christmas. To say it was busy is a gross understatement. The number of watercraft out on the water was incredible. My husband more than once likened our cruising time to being in a scene from Kevin Costner’s Waterworld.
It is with heavy heart that I see in today’s news that a jet-ski driver lost his life in what the reports are saying was an “accident” at South Stradbroke Island this morning. The circumstances of the accident are unknown and will be investigated by the Coroner.
The incident comes only days after I commented that I was surprised there were no more jet-ski accidents.
The waterways are as busy as our highways at times and operators of personal watercraft have responsibilities and safety obligations they must adhere to. I am confident that as a boating family that we act sensibly on the water and adhere to our safety obligations. I was horrified when we were cruising through the water over Christmas when a father on a jet-ski with 2 young children (ages maybe 5-7) overtook us at speed and then veered into our direct path and proceeded to stop, requiring us to power down and alter our course.
We all want to enjoy Queensland’s beautiful waterways this summer, whether it is in a boat or on a jet-ski. In my view the risk of injury or death to jet-ski drivers and their passengers is not too dis-similar to the risk faced by motorbike riders on our roads. The lack of personal protection afforded to jet-ski drivers and their passengers poses a major safety risk in the event of mishap.
The Queensland Government has a Maritime Safety page https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Personal-watercraft dealing with general safety obligations, licencing requirements, registration, safety equipment, rules on the water and children on jet-skis. I recommend a perusal of this informative page before you next take your jet-ski out on the water.
Above all be safe and enjoy your time in Waterworld.
