Essex Marina – Excessive Wash

[jant]

I think the CHA have acted quickly to a growing problem, I am sure common sense will prevail as to what constitutes excessive wash. We have all seen boats producing excessive wash and clearly know what it is.

We live in times when the authorities take forever to tackle a problem, usually costing vast sums in consultation fees etc etc, inefficiency at it best usually. We no long live in a "can do" society. So I am pleased CHA are addressing the issue in a positive way and swiftly.

On another note , we are lucky on the Crouch we don't usually have jet ski problems, unlike the Blackwater, Colne. I have seen many dangerous incidents involving them. But I don't see the the authorities in these rivers acting swiftly and consistently (fully aware of some recent prosecutions, but more are needed)

The Colne has managed 6 prosecutions to date, with the help of Colchester Borough Council and the Marine police rib. The Marine unit have been superb the first operation undertaken included the Asst Commissioner who commented on the value of the marine units presence. It would be great to see a fully patrolled River Colne, it would also be great if the politicians funded a larger police unit for the Estuary!
On the wording of the CHA regarding wash, its quite simple really, insert the wording "anti social behaviour" into the by law.

 

[Tomahawk]

I think the CHA have acted quickly to a growing problem, I am sure common sense will prevail as to what constitutes excessive wash. We have all seen boats producing excessive wash and clearly know what it is.

We live in times when the authorities take forever to tackle a problem, usually costing vast sums in consultation fees etc etc, inefficiency at it best usually. We no long live in a "can do" society. So I am pleased CHA are addressing the issue in a positive way and swiftly.

On another note , we are lucky on the Crouch we don't usually have jet ski problems, unlike the Blackwater, Colne. I have seen many dangerous incidents involving them. But I don't see the the authorities in these rivers acting swiftly and consistently (fully aware of some recent prosecutions, but more are needed)

I fear you live in never never land my friend. The CHA is set up as a paper and time wasting bureaucracy. It carried es out unnecessary process in order to justify the staff which in turn justifies the salaries of those on the gravy train.

Specifically, the annial linence and payment process is totally unnecessary. It could be set up far cheaper with less effort. And less expensive to river users. But no. The system used jensures there is a meed to employ staff at our expense.

Such an outfit will never apply common sent. It will opt for process and paperwork.

 

[Bru]

I totally disagree with my very good and dear friend Tomahawk

D&T has it spot on IMO

I have had a chat with the Harbour Master herself about the issue and primary goal is to educate people into a change of behaviour. Only the very worst and persistent offenders will be prosecuted, as much as anything in order to encourage others to mend their ways

 

[D&T]

The Colne has managed 6 prosecutions to date, with the help of Colchester Borough Council and the Marine police rib. The Marine unit have been superb the first operation undertaken included the Asst Commissioner who commented on the value of the marine units presence. It would be great to see a fully patrolled River Colne, it would also be great if the politicians funded a larger police unit for the Estuary!
On the wording of the CHA regarding wash, its quite simple really, insert the wording "anti social behaviour" into the by law.

Forgive my ignorance, but Jet Skis tend to not travel far., usually a few hundred yards, up and down, all afternoon. The police know where they launch from. Do they need an expensive marine unit. Just wait from them at the launch slip. Radar speed equipment can prove speed and eyeballs dangerous use etc.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Is there a dedicated area for Jetskis and speed boats ?

If not, why not ?

 

[Mariner69]

Is there a dedicated area for Jetskis and speed boats ?

If not, why not ?

So far as I am aware there is a dedicated area at Stone on the Blackwater.

The areas where people swim and boats are moored are often marked with yellow warning buoys stating 8 knots.

At the top end of the Blackwater above the Doubles they are a nuisance being launched from the ramps at caravan and camp site near Decoy Point and then showing off to their friends on the beach by racing around the moorings rather than proceeding downstream where they are free. A swimmer will be injured or killed before too long.

I have even seen one or two riding their craft over the flooded areas of Northey Island (RSPB) at high spring tides yet little appears to happen.

IMHO there should be a complete ban of all jets skis to the west and north of Osea Island, that way there is a binary decision; if they are there then they are fined.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If they have an area where they can mess around with no speed restrictions, there is no excuse.

 

[Daydream believer]

Forgive my ignorance, but Jet Skis tend to not travel far., usually a few hundred yards, up and down, all afternoon. The police know where they launch from. Do they need an expensive marine unit. Just wait from them at the launch slip. Radar speed equipment can prove speed and eyeballs dangerous use etc.

Nigel Harman was telling me of one jet ski owner who had a jet ski capable of 100mph. Even when they did finally catch him he just sneered at nigel's jetski only being capable of 64 mph.
These things cover lots of ground & nigel & the police have to lay traps to catch them. It is not as simple as one might expect

 

[Daydream believer]

If they have an area where they can mess around with no speed restrictions, there is no excuse.

To launch at stone one has to have access to the river. This is restricted to club members & locals. This is because they park across peoples drives etc & act violently towards locals. They also ignore the rules. The area referred to is an area laid out by the water ski club & is rigidly policed. One sign of speeding & you are out. No second chance.
The waterski club have a very responsible attitude to the area around them

 

[Tomahawk]

Is this minimum wash?

 

[Bru]

Is this minimum wash?
View attachment 64998

Did you spill your G&T?

To be serious, if it's a nuisance, it's a nuisance and the racing sailors will have to adapt accordingly if so. Not convinced the wash from racing dinghies, spectacular though it might look on a photo, is really much of a nuisance though but if and when the Directive comes into force make a complaint if you feel it is

 

[Otter]

Very little weight of water displaced.

 

[CLB]

Very little weight of water displaced.

But surely similar to a jet ski, no?

 

[acheter]

Those are chunky fines

 

[Bru]

Those are chunky fines

Pour décourager les autres

 

[Dan Tribe]

A generalisation.
It seems to me that a fair number of wash creators are based at Essex Marina.
So is it the case that they don't mind dishing it out but don't like receiving the inconvenience.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Pretty much every time I have overnighted on a mooring off Burnham I have been woken up by the not inconsiderable wash of the angling boats headed out for a day's fishing.

I suspect most of them are based there