A 20-year-old Park Ridge man has been charged with seven offences after Brisbane Water Police intercepted him at Morningside’s Colmslie Boat Ramp following reports he allegedly operated a jet ski close to boats to intentionally spray their occupants.
The interception occurred on 1 August during Operation Yankee Rooster, a targeted enforcement response established after increased reports of dangerous riding and antisocial behaviour involving personal watercraft on the Brisbane River.
The man was later charged with four counts of common assault, two counts of serious assault involving a person over 60 and one count of committing a public nuisance. He is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 25 August.
Colmslie Boat Ramp Interception Part Of Wider Operation
Operation Yankee Rooster ran from 25 July to 9 August and involved Brisbane Water Police, Redland Bay Water Police and Maritime Safety Queensland. Watercraft and Maritime Safety Queensland drones were used for enforcement, compliance checks and water safety education.
Across the operation, 86 jet skis were intercepted. Six people were charged with a combined 23 offences, including common assault, serious assault, public nuisance, unauthorised damage to property and marine safety offences. Ten marine infringement notices were also issued.
The operation focused on riders alleged to have deliberately used modified, high-powered jet skis to spray passengers on ferries and charter vessels, people at ferry terminals and pedestrians using public walkways.
In one reported incident at about 1pm on 5 July, a young couple and their four-month-old baby waiting at a ferry terminal were allegedly deliberately sprayed by a passing jet ski. Investigations into that incident remained ongoing.
Jet Ski Rules Around Boat Ramps
Personal watercraft operators are required to keep a proper lookout while on the water. Maritime Safety Queensland rules require speed to be reduced to no more than six knots within 60 metres of people in the water, anchored or moored boats, structures, boat ramps, jetties or pontoons.
The six-knot limit also generally applies within 60 metres of the shore, subject to specified exceptions. Operators must also keep 30 metres from another moving vessel or reduce speed to below 10 knots unless an exception applies.
All personal watercraft must be registered, and operators have a general safety obligation to ensure the craft is in good condition, used safely and carries the required safety equipment.
Operation Yankee Rooster was conducted in addition to the regular patrols and watercraft compliance checks carried out by Water Police along the Brisbane River.
Published 19-August-2026
