Deben Jet Skis

Egret said:
BigPlumbs is buying a paddleboard in Motorboat Forum and encouraging others to join him so we will be looking forward to seeing him paddleboarding next year,

I assume though that he would consider himself to be a responsible powerboater who likes to use the river in the way that is permitted, as others do in their different ways. The bylaws make interesting reading.
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Let's hope it's full of wind.
 
Paul Rainbow said - with power boats being encouraged to go out to sea?

It's a suggestion - I'm picking up on what others are saying - There ought to be a way of accommodating someone who wants to be properly licenced to hire jetskis - in the right place - If I was driving a fast powerboat I would rather be in the open sea away from any hazards like sailing boats zig zagging across and wild swimmers, and if I had children in toppers still, I would rather them be in the river and the power boats be in the open sea - like at the Gunfleet (Power) Boating Club at Holland on Sea out of everyone's way, and the two sailing clubs in separate locations along the coast at Clacton and jet skis at the far end at Martello bay where there is a buoyed channel off the beach to clear water and RNLI close by - Space for everyone but each in the right place out of each others way. Weather dependant obviously, but sea is not often too rough - and it is more fun then. For being quiet and peaceful - maybe go in the week or out of the main season - I know people who only go sailing in the week for that reason.

Over to you all now, Interesting discussion - There may not be an answer that everyone is happy with
 
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Egret said:
Paul Rainbow said - with power boats being encouraged to go out to sea?

It's a suggestion - There ought to be a way of accommodating someone who wants to be properly licenced to hire jetskis - in the right place - If I was driving a fast powerboat I would rather be in the open sea away from any hazards like sailing boats and wild swimmers, and if I had children in toppers still, I would rather them be in the river and the power boats be in the open sea - like at the Gunfleet (Power) Boating Club at Holland on Sea out of everyone's way, and the two sailing clubs in separate locations along the coast at Clacton. - Space for everyone but each in the right place out of each others way. Weather dependant obviously, but sea is not often too rough - and it is more fun then.

Over to you all now, Interesting discussion - There may not be an answer that everyone is happy with
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I wouldn't class a jetski as a "fast powerboat".

Our boat is capable of doing 28 knots, we quite happily potter along the local rivers at anything down to 4 knots. Even out in the open sea we tend to cruise at a leisurely 10 knots.

Even at 4 knots, we occasionally get someone in a sailboat waving at us to slow down !
 
Egret said:
Paul Rainbow said - with power boats being encouraged to go out to sea?

It's a suggestion - I'm picking up on what others are saying - There ought to be a way of accommodating someone who wants to be properly licenced to hire jetskis - in the right place - If I was driving a fast powerboat I would rather be in the open sea away from any hazards like sailing boats zig zagging across and wild swimmers, and if I had children in toppers still, I would rather them be in the river and the power boats be in the open sea - like at the Gunfleet (Power) Boating Club at Holland on Sea out of everyone's way, and the two sailing clubs in separate locations along the coast at Clacton and jet skis at the far end near Jaywick. - Space for everyone but each in the right place out of each others way. Weather dependant obviously, but sea is not often too rough - and it is more fun then. For being quiet and peaceful - maybe go in the week or out of the main season - I know people who only go sailing in the week for that reason.

Over to you all now, Interesting discussion - There may not be an answer that everyone is happy with
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Out to sea? I'd be in favour of that.

There's been more than enough cases of irresponsible and antisocial behaviour and byelaws and speed limits being blatantly ignored by jetski operators in particular to cause Essex police to establish regular patrols in the Brightlingsea and Colne area leading to several successful prosecutions in court.

That sets a scene where a complete ban on launching in problematic areas and compulsory registration and certification for any powered craft capable of significant speeds is increasingly likely and if it does come to pass then they'll only have themselves to blame.
 
Frayed Knot said:
Over the past eleven years (I retired this year) I have travelled up and down the Deben approximately three and a half thousand times.
Not including time at home (I live aboard for about eight months a year) I have spent around six thousand hours on the river and interacted with around twenty five thousand people.
Being a very keen walker and wildlife enthusiast I spend much of my leisure time near the river, regularly conversing with fellow walkers, dog walkers, holidaying visitors etc.
Not one person I have ever spoken to has expressed anything even remotely positive regarding pwc or speedboats etc.
Please don’t accuse me of making assumptions.
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....and yet there you go making assumptions, some of us have also spent our lives on the water, either earning a living or since being able to stand upright unaided, been lucky enough to be able to enjoy this glorious sport/hobby/pastime of boating ?
Some of us have it would appear have owned a somewhat greater range of ways of being out there , including speedboats, PWCs, dingies with seagulls :( small fishing boats. kayaks and that ultimate sin, a Gin Palace stinkpot :) which unlike sailing craft, actually allow friends and family to come along in some comfort and likely to talk to you again.
My only real experience of sailing has been the odd trip out in sailing dingies (one of which resulted in a dunking) and on Thames barges, but do not hold this against sailors in general.
If some cruiser wants to wander across my bow or am faced with this (see below) , good luck to every single one of them, raising a smile , hopefully my grandkids will be in one of those soon, a chance to show off my MoBo skippering skills to an appreciative audience.
Ps and regretably a paddle board.

1737797271002.jpeg
A much respected skipper in our club on a PWC with one of my Grandkids aboard, both enjoying a sunny day.
As far as I know neither of them were under the influence of drugs or alcohol and neither of them has any tattoos or piecings.
Can check if you wish.
 
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oldgit said:
....and yet there you go making assumptions,
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Sorry, but I’m baffled by your post: what assumptions? Fascinating though it was to read your life history and opinions, I only see yours.
If you bother to read my earlier post; it actually begins by saying that I agree that the water should be enjoyed by all.
Yes, I’m a sailor (btw. my boat is extremely comfortable, always affording guests an enjoyable experience 😉) but I have in the past tried water skiing and thoroughly enjoyed being on a speedboat. Great fun! When I feel I’m too old to safely handle a sailing boat I may well get a small mobo. Although pwc do not appeal to me I have never suggested that people should not be able to own and enjoy them.
My only assertion is that although everyone has a right to enjoy this wonderful environment, they also have the right not to have that enjoyment ruined by inappropriate or antisocial behaviour - which, unfortunately, is endemic amongst both the fast rib and, most especially, the pwc communities. That is most definitely not an assumption; it is a fact which is obvious to all who spend any time at all on the water. Anyone who wants independent, unbiased verification of that need only speak to any harbourmaster, as I have on several occasions.
 
Sailing steve said:
Out to sea? I'd be in favour of that.

There's been more than enough cases of irresponsible and antisocial behaviour and byelaws and speed limits being blatantly ignored by jetski operators in particular to cause Essex police to establish regular patrols in the Brightlingsea and Colne area leading to several successful prosecutions in court.

That sets a scene where a complete ban on launching in problematic areas and compulsory registration and certification for any powered craft capable of significant speeds is increasingly likely and if it does come to pass then they'll only have themselves to blame.
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I was responding to the comment by egret "power boats being encouraged to go out to sea?"

Not jetskis.
 
'Power boat' in this context being anything with an engine capable of more than hull speed including jet skis (which manufacturers say can do 40 knots) - Edit - and being used to have a wizz around at speed as most do. Not thinking about large motor boats travelling in straight lines within speed limits.
 
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Egret said:
'Power boat' in this context being anything with an engine capable of more than hull speed including jet skis (which manufacturers say can do 40 knots).
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In which case, you are including any motorboat with a planing hull. Why do you think these boats should be "encouraged to go to sea" and presumably just leave the rivers to sail boats ?
Egret said:
Big power boats like yours tend to go slowly until well out in the estuary and tend to slow down if they need to pass a sailing boat close.
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Exactly, so what's the problem with motorboats in the rivers ?
 
No problem if power boats and jet skis are complying with collision regulations, bylaws, and speed limits in the river, but more space to wizz around out to sea and less to worry about looking out for other users like wild swimmers.
 
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oldgit:

Did you add the pic of grandson on pwc after my reply or was I guilty of not reading a post properly? 😂
Anyway, I hope he enjoyed himself and actually got taken for a bit of a blast - in an appropriate place, of course!
 
Egret said:
No problem if power boats and jet skis are complying with collision regulations, bylaws, and speed limits in the river, but more space to wizz around out to sea. Can see the temptation though, must take nearly an hour to get from Woodbridge to the sea within the speed limits.
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If it's "no problem" there is no need for " with power boats being encouraged to go out to sea?"
Why not encourage sail boats to go out to sea, where there is more room to sail, especially tacking ?

Not sure why you think we need to "wizz aound", we're generally making passage, the same as most other boats. Based in Ipswich we are used to spending over an hour to get to sea, sticking to the 6 knot speed limit, after which we cruise quite happily at 10 knots, no need for us to be "wizziing around" at 28 knots. We may only be going to the Stour to anchor with some friends or family for an afternoon on the water, no need to go to sea.

It actually takes over an hour to get from the Tidemill to the sea, keeping within the speed limits. We passage plan for that and leave the Tidemill at or just before HW, so plenty of time for the journey and no temptation to exceed speed limits.

Motorboat owners/skippers are just as capable of following local rules/byelaws and colregs as sail boat owners.

We're also, generally, tolerant of other water users, whatever type of vessel they choose to own.
 
Mention of The 'Harwich Haven Authority Guide' - 'HHA-YACHTING-GUIDE-COMPOSITE-2020_FINAL-LOW.pdf' - deleted as superseded - see latest link on Post 35 below.
 
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Egret said:
I've just found The 'Harwich Haven Authority Guide' - 'HHA-YACHTING-GUIDE-COMPOSITE-2020_FINAL-LOW.pdf' - which indicates that the non speed limit area (old waterski area) just upstream of Felixstowe Ferry between the 8 and 10 knot zones, is now designated a 'Personal Watercraft Area' - 'Anti-social behaviour is monitored. Use of personal watercraft outside of this area is extremely hazardous and causes disturbance to river users and residents' -so that is the definitive answer. Doesn't specifically mention conventional (fletcher type) speed boats on the Deben but shows a waterski / powered craft area near Levington Marina and off Dovercourt.
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That wording no longer exists on the HHA guide, neither does mention of PWC on the Orwell

PWC are expressly forbidden in the harbour.

https://eastcoast-cruising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LEISURE-GUIDE-2024-Low-Res.pdf
 
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Thank you. Found that 2020 guide on the internet, so appreciated you have found and displayed link to the newer 2024 one. I can see that the unrestricted speed area on the Deben has gone back to being a waterski area and the rest of the Deben controlled by speed limit with Jet Skis not permitted in the Harwich harbour. I have deleted reference to the 2020 guide.
 
Egret said:
Thank you. Found that 2020 guide on the internet, so appreciated you have found and displayed link to the newer 2024 one. I can see that the unrestricted speed area on the Deben has gone back to being a waterski area and the rest of the Deben controlled by speed limit with Jet Skis not permitted in the Harwich harbour. I have deleted reference to the 2020 guide.
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You're welcome.

As PWC aren't even allowed in Harwich harbour, i wonder if the jet ski wording was a mistake, should have said "water ski area", but i don't know.
 
Best then if anyone considering launching a 'speed boat' or jetski contacts the Woodbridge Haven Pilot, as mentioned, for clarification of what is now permissible.

Not much area at all for powered water craft at speed. The area off Levington is quite small.
 
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Frayed Knot said:
Sorry, but I’m baffled by your post: what assumptions? Fascinating though it was to read your life history and opinions, I only see yours.
If you bother to read my earlier post; it actually begins by saying that I agree that the water should be enjoyed by all.
Yes, I’m a sailor (btw. my boat is extremely comfortable, always affording guests an enjoyable experience 😉) but I have in the past tried water skiing and thoroughly enjoyed being on a speedboat. Great fun! When I feel I’m too old to safely handle a sailing boat I may well get a small mobo. Although pwc do not appeal to me I have never suggested that people should not be able to own and enjoy them.
My only assertion is that although everyone has a right to enjoy this wonderful environment, they also have the right not to have that enjoyment ruined by inappropriate or antisocial behaviour - which, unfortunately, is endemic amongst both the fast rib and, most especially, the pwc communities. That is most definitely not an assumption; it is a fact which is obvious to all who spend any time at all on the water. Anyone who wants independent, unbiased verification of that need only speak to any harbourmaster, as I have on several occasions.
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"Not one person I have ever spoken to has expressed anything even remotely positive regarding pwc or speedboats etc."
You have spoken to one now ?
Ps. Love the East Coast.
:)
 
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