Victoria Police are calling on jetskiers to improve their behaviour and follow safety rules after a surge in water accidents over the past week.
Official data reveals 100 water incidents occurred in the first week of 2025, a 600 percent increase from 17 incidents in the same period of 2024.
Many of the incidents involved dangerous jetski behaviours, including speeding, travelling too close to swimmers, and colliding with other vessels.
One example included a recent accident where three teenagers were thrown into the water when their jet ski nosedived into a wave and broke its hull. Luckily, they were unhurt.
Water Police Squad Inspector James Dalton said there was no excuse for the misbehaviours of jetskiers.
“Already we’ve seen multiple serious collisions on the water,” he said.
“These young people are lucky to be alive, but instead of enjoying the summer, they’re now recovering in hospital with serious injuries.
“People need to remember that a split-second decision can have lifelong consequences.”
In another incident on Jan. 4, a jet ski crashed into a boat on the Mornington Peninsula, resulting in the hospitalisation of a 14-year-old boy.
The boy was a passenger on the jet ski and suffered serious upper-body injuries due to the collision.
The 43-year-old jet ski rider and a second passenger, aged 14, were recused and sent to the hospital for check-ups, while two boat passengers suffered minor injuries.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, with two vehicles seized by the police.
Victoria State Control Centre spokeswoman Reegan Key also raised concerns about water safety after 145 rescues were made on Jan. 4 alone.
“That’s a really high number and, obviously, there are lots of people on holiday at this time of year,” she said.
“We’re asking people to be a bit more aware and careful as they head to the beach, rivers and lakes.”
According to Life Saving Victoria, there have been 12 fatal drowning incidents in the state between Dec. 1, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025.
To respond to the high number of water accidents, Victoria Police plans to increase patrol in major breaches and recreational swimming sites, including those in Port Phillip Bay, inner Melbourne, Hastings, and the Mornington Peninsula.
