Questions raised over Bridport ski zone
• A boat towing a kneeboarder in Trent Water on Monday afternoon.
By Daisy Baker
January 15, 2020
An open letter to recreational vessel users by Scottsdale Police addressing safety concerns in Bridport has left some water users confused.
The letter, dated December 30, was placed on cars with boat trailers parked at Bridport and displayed at the Bridport Seaside Caravan Park.
People using recreational vessels and personal watercrafts (PWC) were asked to ensure they understood the rules and regulations of the area for safety.
Sergeant Hanson said the letter was a response to a number of complaints received from the public.
“The complaints were mostly mums and families about jet skis on the beaches driving too fast when coming in to the beach to pick up or drop off people being towed on biscuits,” he said.
“Also jet skis and boats going too fast in the Trent Water when operating generally but specifically when towing.
“Both have significant numbers of swimmers and other water users. There's no dramas with either, provided the vessels are operating in accordance with the legislation (5 knots when within 60m of shore or 120m of swimmers).”
Amidst the safety reminders, the letter noted that Trent Water is “not a designated ski area and is therefore subject to the normal speed and other rules”, which has led to confusion among locals.
Tim Jensen of Bridport who has been skiing in the river for the past 48 years said, to his knowledge skiing was permitted in the area.
He said in the past there were signs in the river stating that it was a designated ski area and he was not aware Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) had made any changes to the regulations.
“It’s a popular skiing spot and it would be disappointing if it’s no longer allowed,” he said.
“Where else can I go down to have a ski for an hour when that tide’s right and go home?
“If they’re going to take that area away, where will I be allowed to go and ski?”
Trent Water is the last of the skiing spots left in Bridport, with the closest alternatives being Blue Lake and Pioneer.
Mr Jensen said up until the late 90s, there was a designated ski area which extended from Croquet Lawn to the Old Pier.
He said safety is really important with such activities and all water users need to work together.
“We always do a lap of the river before we ski to check out where to go and in recent times we ski at the height of the tide and if it’s a small tide we don’t stay very long just for the safety,” he said.
“When we ski in the river, we are using the deep part of channel not across on the shallows, which leaves plenty of room for Kayakers.
“To me we’re staying out of the way of other users and we’re not encroaching on where they are launching boats and so forth.
“I think if you behave with a bit of common sense it is safe to ski in there.”
MAST general manager of recreational boating safety and facilities Peter Hopkins said he is looking into any safety issues that may be occurring.
“MAST haven’t made any changes to ski areas at Bridport and we will assess this situation and hopefully come up with a situation that will suit everyone,” he said.
“We will advise people accordingly in the near future.”