One jet ski user reportedly rode into a flock of black swans last week, resulting in the death of at least one cygnet.

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The young swans are vulnerable at this time of year; they do not have their flight feathers and cannot attempt to fly out of the way.

Local resident Kelly Hammond said while the incident doesn’t reflect all watercraft users, local wildlife and waterways “deserve protection against such vile individuals”.

“Our community cares deeply for the environment and a review of how these types of vessels are used – when, where and at what speed – in our pristine waterways needs addressing urgently,” she said.

The Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association (TRRA) has been advocating for a review of jet skiing on Port Stephens for a number of years.

TRRA have been calling for a number of better controls, including speed limits, particularly when manoeuvring to outside or deeper waters.

Environment advocate and local wildlife photographer Bon Bon Holmes Nuu told News Of The Area, “I daily see the 300m exclusion zone for dolphins blatantly disregarded, from the water and land, with riders skiing directly up to and over them,” she said.

The popularity of jet skis and personal watercraft has soared over the last four years, with over 90,000 licenced riders in New South Wales, an increase of over 35 percent since 2020.

The largest jump in jet ski licences has been among Generation Z, those born between 1995 and 2010.

There are more than 23,000 licenced riders aged between 13 and 28 in New South Wales, an increase of 22 percent on this time last year.

“A fun day on the water shouldn’t turn into a tragedy,” Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.

“It’s great we’re seeing locals enjoy our Hunter waterways on jet skis, including young people.

“But we need them to look after themselves, and each other.

“Safety and compliance are the priorities.

“When you take out a jet ski, just like anything on the water, follow the rules so everyone can relax and enjoy themselves.”

Operation Stay Afloat

As part of the safety and educational campaign aimed at driving home the importance of responsible riding on the state’s waterways, NSW Maritime crews conducted more than 2000 vessel safety checks across the state.

While 87 percent of boat and jet-ski operators were found to be complying with all licence and safety requirements, NSW Maritime issued 186 official warnings and 81 penalty notices.

31.4 percent were issued for not wearing or carrying a lifejacket, 27.7 percent were for unlicensed drivers or unregistered vessels and 11.2 percent were for speeding.

It follows a year where jetski-related offences were on the rise.

There were a total of 1560 jetski offences recorded in NSW during 2023, up 53 percent on the previous year’s 1023 jetski infringements.

Speeding made up almost 30 percent of offences recorded.

For more information on jet ski safety, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/waterways-safety-and-rules/resources/pwc-handbook

By Marian SAMPSON