Hey Steve, glad you made it back from your tangle. This doesn't make the jetskier a hero. It just means he or she had some basic level of humanity in the presence of another person who needed help that they could easily provide.
Paul, the original poster was clear in stating that the intention behind his purchase was to tow kiters at Nobbys (or at least tow the Nobby's crew, perhaps at a more appropriate spot). Any lifesaving would be incidental. He also said he didn't care how much petrol it burns. In the 90s I spent a lot of time in Newcastle and swam, surfed and windsurfed regularly at Nobbys. It's a spectacular beach and draws many beach users who do not generate any noise or air pollution. A very selfish place to run a stinkboat.
As for being "one of the more intelligent forum users," its not a title I've ever claimed; it has been thrust upon me. So, in order to do it justice I'll offer an exercise in logic, based on, and hopefully to help spell out, my earlier big wave surfers and jetski rescue comments.
If I have an adjustable-height tightrope, but no safety net, I can just choose to use it at 2 or 3 feet high and not risk my life. If someone gives me a safety net, I can set the rope at 40 feet high and when I fall the net catches me. Now, in the immediate sense, the net saves my life. In a wider view, the net forms part of the context in which I decide to venture onto the high rope in the first place. In this sense, the net doesn't so much save my life as alter the type of risk that I'm willing to take.
Oh, and I just called my girlfriend. She says she's quite happy with our relationship and that jetskiers have never appealed to her. She also suggested you keep your snide personal remarks to yourself.
