A recent safety crackdown on New South Wales waterways has revealed Lake Macquarie as a significant hotspot for jet ski infringements, accounting for more than 20 per cent of all personal watercraft offences detected across the state.
Operation Cool Your Jets Targets Key Waterways
NSW Maritime boating safety officers and water police joined forces over the weekend of January 3-4, 2026, for Operation Cool Your Jets, a week-long compliance blitz. The operation focused on busy locations including Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Botany Bay, Lake Illawarra, Jervis Bay and the Murray River.
Data from the operation shows Lake Macquarie was the location where the most penalty notices and official warnings for jet ski riders were issued. The area represented 16 per cent of official actions for all vessel types and a substantial 21 per cent of actions specifically for jet skis.
Common Offences and Safety Reminders
NSW Maritime principal manager for the northern region, Sonia McKay, noted that Lake Macquarie's beautiful conditions attracted large crowds over the weekend. She emphasised that only a small minority of operators were doing the wrong thing.
Across the Hunter region, the most common boating issues involved:
- Life jacket non-compliance
- Licensing and registration offences
- Speeding
- Safety equipment failures
For jet skis, or personal watercraft, the main problems were related to licensing and registration, speeding, irregular riding patterns, and failing to maintain safe distances.
Ms McKay urged all jet ski riders to slow down, maintain a safe distance from others, stay aware of their surroundings, and seek open water for higher speeds or manoeuvres.
Operation Results and Rising Popularity
By 2pm on Sunday, January 4, officers had conducted 373 vessel safety checks in the Hunter region, resulting in eight penalty notices and 52 official cautions. This included 134 personal watercraft checks, leading to four penalty notices and 19 official cautions.
Statewide figures were significantly higher, with 1,921 vessel checks and 627 jet ski safety checks, resulting in 60 penalty notices and 181 official cautions. The overall compliance rate was nearly 89 per cent.
The popularity of jet skiing continues to surge, with more than 92,000 riders now licensed in NSW – marking a 23 per cent increase over the past five years. In 2025, Lake Macquarie ranked ninth in the state for jet ski offences, with Port Stephens coming in tenth.
Port Stephens Exclusion Zone Trial
In a separate safety initiative, jet ski riders and power vessel skippers have been temporarily barred from entering three "exclusion zones" at Port Stephens between December 24, 2025, and January 26, 2026. This trial aims to keep all water users safe.
The out-of-bounds areas cover approximately 800 metres of shoreline, which is about a quarter of the 3.2 kilometres of coast at Port Stephens. All powered vessels must stay at least 30 metres from the shoreline within these zones. Swimmers and beach-goers face no restrictions.
Ms McKay reported that officers have observed skippers and riders generally complying with the new rules, and the exclusion zones appear to be working effectively. The public can provide feedback on the trial by scanning QR codes on signage or online before January 27.
Authorities have reminded jet ski riders of several key rules:
- Maintain a distance of 30 metres from other vessels, objects, or the shore when travelling at six knots or more.
- Keep 60 metres away from people in the water or dive flags where possible.
- Ensure all passengers and riders always wear a life jacket.
- Keep licences and registrations current.
- Check the rules sticker on the jet ski and consult the online handbook for riders.
The combined efforts of education and enforcement during Operation Cool Your Jets highlight the ongoing commitment to safety on NSW's popular waterways as the summer holiday period continues.
