Limit is 5 knots near shore
A mechanic testing a personal watercraft was fine $250 after he admitted doing 20 knots within 200 yards of the shoreline.
Mark Rickman, 54, appeared in Summary Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to exceeding the five-knot limit in an area off Rum Point beach on Sunday, 7 August 2011.
He told Chief Magistrate Nova Hall he didn’t usually ride personal watercraft. He explained he is a mechanic and a friend asked him to check his wave runner and see if something was wrong with it. He said he didn’t mean to go that fast.
Crown Counsel Tricia Hutchinson told the court officers on marine patrol observed the speeding wave runner inside the swimming area. They activated the blue lights on their vessel and stopped the rider, warning him for prosecution.
The magistrate suggested that since Rickman was riding the craft at his friend’s request, perhaps the friend would help him pay the fine.
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