Water police are urging beachgoers, including those in Hobsons Bay, to stay safe this Australia Day long weekend after being called out to more than 500 incidents already this summer.
With temperatures set to soar into the high-thirties and low forties on Saturday 24 January and significant crowds expected at popular waterways such as Williamstown Beach and Altona Beach, the Water Police Squad will be out in force to ensure people enjoy the summer weather safely.
Of the incidents water police have attended this summer, the vast majority have involved vessel collisions or sinkings, people needing to be rescued from the water, injuries suffered on boats and jet skis and mechanical failure.
Jet skiers riding recklessly have also been a common occurrence.
Water Police Squad Inspector James Dalton said while it was only natural to see a rise in incidents as people take to the water to escape the heat, the amount of dangerous beach behaviour police had witnessed this summer was still far too high.
“We are seeing far too many collisions occur and jet skiers travelling way too close to other swimmers and vessels and approaching shore at high speed,” Inspector Dalton said.
“People need to remember that a split-second decision can have lifelong consequences.
“That’s why will have a bolstered presence right across the state over this Australia Day long weekend to ensure everyone is following the rules.
“That means wearing a life jacket, respecting the safety of other water users, and carrying the mandatory safety equipment.”
