Police forces will work together to bolster safety along Port Phillip Bay over the Australia Day Weekend.
The Water Police Squad, Air Wing, Dog Squad, and Public Order Response team will patrol the waters and foreshore along the beaches from Thursday to Sunday.
“We want everyone to enjoy Victoria’s beaches and waterways this weekend. But we want them to do it safely,” Specialist Response Division superintendent Wayne Newman said.
“That’s why we’ve teamed up with a number of specialist and local units to ensure our presence is highly visible.
“We’ll have zero tolerance for anyone who puts other water users at risk. So help us out and make smart decisions this weekend.”
Police say passive alert detection dogs will be deployed to boat ramps across the weekend to sniff out vessel operators thinking of taking to the water impaired.
They’ll be supported by local police conducting preliminary breath tests and licence checks and inspections will also be carried out to make sure vessel operators are carrying the required safety equipment like lifejackets, torches and fire extinguishers.
Boat and jet ski rider behaviour will be a focus on the water.
The Water Police Squad will use police jet skis to support its rapid enforcement, with anyone caught travelling too close to swimmers, ignoring no boating zones or exceeding speed restrictions to face significant fines.
The Air Wing will have eyes from the sky while the Public Order Response Team will engage with beach goers at popular spots across the bay to stop antisocial behaviour.
