Thanks for the update mate, yeah i saw him come back and circle. Still shocked at having watched the boat set course and hit you without any evasive action, im sure we'll all be taking to the water with trepadation for some time after this

On the upside youve raised awareness of this problem so that will benefit everyone

The test of how genuine the owner's concern over the incident is whether there is a change in behaviour of the drivers of the company's jet boats.

Maritime advise jet boat driver has reported wind surfers intentionally sailing in front off him.
Dah ....who has sailed broadwater since incedent ..
Been no wind....

They have gopros on board each and every time they go out, i bet there is no footage.

stating the obvious
due to wind limitations, most kiters and windsurfers sail in groups within small specific areas, its usually the same area each time, they sail the same route each time, and it's pretty obvious to everyone on the water and on the beach

it's fair enough for a jet boat to pass through this area to get to an area free of swimmers and other water users, to do their spins and "extreme jetboating" manoeuvres.....but to unnecessarily and continuously return to busy areas and cause near misses is just aggravating the situation for everyone else

in my opinion, till now the operators of the smaller green v8 jetboats have been really good about staying out from the 6knot zone, and areas where there are other water users and swimmers (around the sandbars etc.), and hope they don't get tarred with the same brush. I hope the other operators can follow that company's example

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tilldark said..
I think more importantly would it even be observed? If there were cameras and a greater police presence you would see less errant behaviour but you would see a rise in complaints (a and costs) perhaps its been a case of not proportionatly growing the governance to match the increase in water users?
<div>From what ive read most powered craft are not in favour of speed reduction, rather they would prefer a common sense rule. To that I would say common sense is currently absent and any boatie education is worth little because it is erroded by the predominant behaviour of any given day. Seems like mom and dad need to pay more attention to the kids

Bummer George wasn't wearing a go pro..even though they are wideangled and make everything further away than it is you couldn't miss the hit..

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trimmer said..
Maritime advise jet boat driver has reported wind surfers intentionally sailing in front off him.
Dah ....who has sailed broadwater since incedent ..
Been no wind....

Now I've heard everything, who the hell sails intentionally at a jetboat?! What a joke this is about a bloody idiot making bad choices over and over again and getting away with it. I guess if the waterway authority is taking that position then there is clearly political factors interfering in them performing their duties. No wander its a f#*king zoo out there

guys don't kick msq.

I've dealt with msq in many branches and they are good people. saying someone reported something and then jumping to the conclusion that msq have adopted a position from that with political interference is a very long bow indeed and not helpful to anyone.

yeah not this time mate, seems to be a different attitude all together

hmm. that's a real shame then.

hopefully common sense prevails.

I can't imagine it will be hard to determine that George did not deliberately sail in front of the jet boat if the police simply ask the passengers on the boat. Surely there is a log of the occupants.

AUS729 we are in ongoing discussions with Hal Morris from the GCWA regarding safety for sailors on the broadwater and this will surely come into the discussion. I have spoken to George and we have decided it is best to let him run through the official channels and we have offered our support if needed. It will be interesting to see what comes of the incident. As far as I can tell it is a free for all down there and I have had a mate run down by a big boat there when we used to sail at the train years ago. I've even had a jet boat buzz me in my boat with the family on it and we were in a six knot zone at the time. it was intimidating enough in a boat, let alone as a swimmer or sailor.

After the appalling response from Linda's incident I'll be surprised if any reform is undertaken but if there isn't then I think it is time to get the media involved.

Yep, It just happen again on Gold Coast.

Small aluminum dinghy just run over me a meters of the bank on Shearwater, then stop for a money abused me verbally and went his way.

That how collisions may looks on GPS record. Hopefully not harm done to equipment or me.


I just hope that one day we all could have GoPro as evidence and Marine Authority will be willing at least handle $100 ticket to the boat owner every time run over another water ways user. Obviously after careful consideration of circumstances.
Even easy like that where was boat at the time of collision- for example close to swimmers on the beach or speeding in 6 knots restricted area.


Just to clarify the maps overly shown high tide, but at the time is wasn't at the max.
That bank was even closer.

Glad your OK though, wow that's 3 people I know hit by boats in the last year (including myself)

Yeah I've noticed those tinnies at the shearwater over the years (they are often young kids doing wheelies in the shallows). THey fly along a few metres from the shore at 20 knots to avoid the chop in the middle. I do find it fascinating that very few boat operators on the goldcoast ever consider slowing down early or changing course. I guess its reaching a critical-mass these days especially with developments forcing more and more kites from the KFC to the shearwater.

If there aren't any police around then this is what you get; water bogan's, drunks and f&*heads yeeeeehawwww bang! bang! The fact that you got abused is evidence enough especially when you have right of way and the boat in question was exceeding the speed limit

Just if you compare manners on roads and water.
Very unlikely that car will drive over cyclist or person and simply drive away, but police do nothing.
Looks like rules on the water are not enforced at all and water authorities are busy doing their other important things. I can't get what but maybe measuring fish length caught by anglers ?
I don't have any claims or evidence, but that is obvious that one day things can get messy. Propellers and swimmers doesn't mix.
Hopefully nobody will come with idea of banning actually windsurfers and kiters from waterway for their safety.

As with your observation about flying dinghies, that is very accurate. I did myself test on my dinghies and comfortable planing speed is about that 20 knots mark. Obviously my scientific test was performed in controlled manner in designed area.

Maybe we should sign up under water animal rights for better protection ? For catching fish you may have boat confiscated but for running over swimmers didn't get even $100 ticket ?

Even just commons sense my prove that if we have few boaties doubtfully fined for running over wind, kite, surfers or swimmers that information may spread and they will avoid us on waters next time like hell.

Glad you are ok macro.

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Gestalt said..
Glad you are ok macro.

Ah, thanks .
at least visitors would know now what to expect on GC

That sucks Peter i was there this morning. i hope you pull up allright tomorrow.

Hi Macroscien,

It is very bad to hear this has happened once again. Can I ask if you reported it to the police and did you happen to get the rego number??

Regards, Scot

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Macroscien said...

Small aluminum dinghy just run over me a meters of the bank on Shearwater, then stop for a money abused me verbally and went his way.

As an eyewitness to this incident (along with a friend), this is what we saw.....

The tinnie was doing no more than 6 knts punching into the wind heading south with an older guy driving and yes he was reasonably close to the shoreline but still a safe distance. You came towards the beach on a port tack cutting across this guys bow by less than a metre, then u immediately gybed, colliding with the starboard aft corner of the vessel. Could have been easily avoided by bearing off downwind and passing the vessel to the aft, I can only assume that ur vision was impaired by the sail as he was coming from ur starboard side during ur port tack.
Unfortunate accident?.....maybe, but could have been a whole lot worse.
It was quite clear that u had no visual contact with the vessel till the last minute.
Could he have done more to avoid collision?....probably not, as u were coming in at speed

Was glad to see no one injured, but let's keep it real and stay safe everyone.

As you could see if I did pass the boat just one meter of the bow , that mean that we had been on collision course for some time .

With that difference that I couldn't see a guy until last seconds ( but in this place we really try to see everything around and in the front -but the sail ,sun shine straight and low) , but he must saw me and sail straight on me with constant speed.

I saw the boat few meters through sail and we have been on collision course. Now all I could do is change angle of collision from perpendicular to parallel / along. That last seconds maneuver possibly saved us both from serious damage. That was me that did something in last seconds , guy just keep going for good 30 meters after loud bump.



To close for comfort and nobody want really boat passing you by meter or so.

Anyway guy on the boat expected and miscalculated possibly me to continue that path at this twenty few knots straight onto the beach so he could safely pass me 1 meter behind.

BTW I have similar aluminum dinghy and know that is not planing below 6 knots more like 12-15.

If you slow down or fall on the chop the boat will run you straight over.

To my best knowledge I had a right of way, anyway.

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Macroscien said..
Yep, It just happen again on Gold Coast.

Small aluminum dinghy just run over me a meters of the bank on Shearwater, then stop for a money abused me verbally and went his way.

That how collisions may looks on GPS record. Hopefully not harm done to equipment or me.


I just hope that one day we all could have GoPro as evidence and Marine Authority will be willing at least handle $100 ticket to the boat owner every time run over another water ways user. Obviously after careful consideration of circumstances.
Even easy like that where was boat at the time of collision- for example close to swimmers on the beach or speeding in 6 knots restricted area.


Just to clarify the maps overly shown high tide, but at the time is wasn't at the max.
That bank was even closer.

Why do you say GOPRO footage cant be used? Sounds absurd. Bike riders now have rear camera 720p & lights that apparently can be used as evidence. Front combination coming too.

OK....
So, we have established that a collision was narrowly avoided in the first instance when u crossed his bow. I still don't understand why u gybed immediately after this, which I believe contributed to the collision. Why couldn't you continue on ur path for a few more metres, then stand down?
The fact that u gybed and still managed to collide with the rear of the vessel after clearing the bow says one of two things, the other guy had either slowed down/stopped (which u claim he didn't) or he was not travelling at the speed which u have suggested.
Yes, you are correct in saying you had right of way, but I believe the "avoid collision at all costs" rule should have been implemented by both parties in this case.
BTW, at what stage did he run over you?

I just want to get some clarity here so we can all learn from this incident....

He jibed because he thought it was a kiter

It may looks ok when you Gilly safe on the bank watching but on the water when you have boat on collision course just few meters away aiming in the spot between mast / sail and you at the back of the board natural reflex/ life saving is to turn the board to collide rather with boat in parallel , both my board and sail , not to be hit from the side.

As you see this way dinghy and my board just bump by sides, and boat could continue at speed . If I didn't turn the board he may ride his boat straight between mast, trough the sail and me in the straps., over my board.
I understand that spotters on the bank may have more fun, but this way nothing really serious happen.

The question is if you Gilly if you saw boat reducing speed before collision/ impact or only after 30 meters ?

Did boat did any change of course to avoid collision ?


Lets finish here, till next time somebody get less lucky.