AS summer weather finally arrives, water police are keeping their eyes on boat and jet-ski users in the region.
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Yesterday, they were patrolling Lake Learmonth and Lake Burrembeet after it was announced a special police operation was due to begin.
Operation Colossus will involve plain-clothes members on the foreshore who will be observing the behaviour of boat operators – particularly jet-skis – and reporting any dangerous behaviour to their colleagues on the water, who will intervene.
Leading Senior Constable Dean Corin said the water police would be around the area this summer keeping an eye on boat and jet-ski operators.
“Just checking boats, general boat safety, operator licences, boat registrations and a particular interest in jet-skis and jet-ski operators,” he said.
“Operation Colossus is a statewide operation just looking at boat operation with an emphasis on jet-skis or PWCs (personal watercraft).”
Leading Senior Constable Corin said they would be looking for people who were operating too close to the shore, other vessels or people in the water.
“Police will be in all different areas, some in plain clothes and some in uniform like us,” he said.
“Ultimately we are trying to improve boating safety across the state and by doing so we can minimise potential collisions, injuries to persons and just help people to have a better understanding of boating rules and safe operation, which makes it more pleasant for everyone.”