Toronto police are cracking down on a growing issue along the city's waterfront

Toronto boaters and boat rental companies likely aren't too thrilled about recent changes to the city's beaches, some of which now have (or soon will have) waterfront exclusion zones that prohibit motorized vessels from getting within a certain distance of the shore.

But, this demographic may be one of the only ones that isn't celebrating what many locals are seeing as much-needed restrictions.

The new regulations came into effect around Hanlan's Point Beach in late May, and plans to extend the same bylaws to Woodbine Beach, Humber Bay Park, Bluffer's Park and potentially others are also in the works.

In the meantime, Toronto police have been embarking on blitzes to combat what they call a "growing" problem of errant boaters in the harbour, particularly unlicensed personal watercraft (a.k.a. jet ski) rental operators and their customers.

The force's Marine Safety Unit recently reported the results of what it deemed Project SAR (Sea-Doo Awareness & Response), through which officers handed out more than a staggering $17,000 in provincial offence and bylaw tickets, and towed a total of 19 vehicles, including 14 Sea-Doos, in just four days' time.

A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service told blogTO this week that even after the crackdown, they continue to receive a "high volume" of complaints each day, mostly regarding personal watercraft drivers racing through designated swimming areas and coming dangerously close to land, operating at night without proper lighting, failing to don lifejackets and/or other mandated safety equipment, and boating while unlicenced.

Additionally, there have been daily reports of jet-ski rental companies in the city conducting business from public beaches and parks without the necessary permits, authorization or even insurance, as well as failing to properly equip their customers, failing to check them for Pleasure Craft Operator Cards and failing to complete adequate safety checks.

"We are also seeing a significant increase in PWCs being reported in distress due to inexperience or error," the spokesperson said, adding that this is largely due to the current "high volume of pleasure craft being illegally rented or chartered without meeting the required registration, training and safety requirements."

Enforcement efforts are ongoing, but some beachgoing residents and those living in the affected areas still don't think enough is being done.

In response to a Facebook post about the Project SAR outcome, one resident shared a photo of multiple personal watercraft lined up along their nearby section of beach, writing, "was at the beach today and they're still there."

"While I appreciate the effort, I don't know if it worked, because the Sea-Doos were out there in full force yesterday and way too close to the swimming areas and shore," another added.

Still another commented, "It's gotten so bad! I don't think the tickets are enough; just today I saw numerous jet skis coming far too close to swimmers. I've reported multiple times this summer."

Some called for vessels like jet skis to be completely banned from public areas, while others deemed the watercraft "ruin your nice day at the beach machines," saying they've been forced to avoid kayaking, swimming and otherwise enjoying the city's beaches this summer due to so many "reckless and dangerous" boaters.

With summer coming to a close, hopefully, local authorities can learn from this season to better prepare for tackling these issues next year.