Victoria Police's water squad visits Lake Hume ahead of silly season

Two members of Victoria Police's Water Police Squad were in the North East this week to increase visibility ahead of the festive season.

Patrolling on jet-skis, the officers were focusing on compliance but also took action against a boater who was travelling 25 knots in a five-knot zone, near the Discovery Parks resort.

Senior Constable Lauren Foley said he would be receiving a $363 fine.

"Particularly in the five-knot zones, we've got a lot of kids, swimmers and fishermen who want to enjoy the same waterways," she said.

"Speeding presents a great risk for them, and you can't always see people's heads below the water.

"Over summer, we'll be patrolling in boats and PwCs and all of our equipment is marked - so we're visible to everybody out there.

"We're not keeping it a secret that we're out and about.

"We want everyone to be safe and have fun at the same time."

Senior Constable Foley said people driving boats under the influence would be a target of theirs.

"It's a big problem on the water all year round," she said.

"If if you have alcohol in your blood system, you're not as aware, and if you do fall off the boat, it's harder to get back in.

"It's the same as road rules; it's 0.05 (blood alcohol concentration limit) and the offences are treated the same, so there will be losses of licences and fines."

The Water Police Squad is based in Williamstown and this week's three-day stint in the North East gave Senior Constable Foley insight into the region's waterways.

"The lakes are more family-orientated," she said.

"Lake Hume is beautiful; this was my first time here and I loved every minute of it.

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"Everyone kept telling us how full it is."

The Hume Dam, at 99.2 per cent, is more full than it was in December, 2016, after flooding.

The Water Police Squad has left the region but will be returning to Lake Hume again this summer.