A majority of people stopped by waterways authorities on the Sunshine Coast during a two-week safety campaign were found to be breaking rules.
Almost two-thirds of the 266 people checked by Maritime Safety Queensland officers in the region between September 19 and October 5 were non-compliant.
Lifejackets, speeding and distance-off requirements were common issues.
The blitz was part MSQ’s statewide Spring Boat Safety Campaign.
The non-compliance rate for personal watercraft, like jet skis, was 74 per cent on the Sunshine Coast.
MSQ general manager Kell Dillon said too many riders were putting themselves and others at risk.
“Queensland’s waterways are for everyone, but every skipper and personal watercraft rider must operate safely and responsibly,” he said.
“The message is simple: cool your jets. Slow down, wear the right lifejacket and give others space to enjoy the water safely.
“We use community reports, compliance data, targeted drone surveillance and local intelligence to focus patrols where unsafe behaviour poses the greatest risk.
“If you speed, freestyle around other waterway users or ride recklessly, expect to see Maritime Safety Queensland and police on the water.”
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