"Faster, faster...

[Neil_M]

\"Faster, faster...

...until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death"

Except its not 'Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas' but an increasing trend to folks tearing around at 20kts+ in an 8kt speed limit, in this case on the Deben.

Every weekend we get people either waterskiing or just tearing around, despite the limit and ignoring the damage to the river & danger to other users. What crowned it last night was watching somebody, fresh from the pub, belt in between the moorings and shoot a good 50' up the mud by the hard at Waldringfield.

This must happen elsewhere & have been aired before here - but is there any recourse against people blatantly putting others at risk & flouting the limits?

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[duncan]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

a) concrete groynes (this stopps them doing it twice)
b) report vessel to harbour master with description and, if know, where it launched.
Poole Harbour has, to their credit, followed up on a lot of these; often turning up and watching launch sites at the end of the day. IMHO they er to far on education and are not tough enough on individuals. On the other hand a number of craft have been banned from launching in the Harbour as I understand it.

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[Mirelle]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

When visiting Brightlingsea the other day I saw their excellent Harbourmaster come down like the proverbial ton of bricks on a jetskier who had blatantly ignored the speed limit notice, and I feel pretty sure that the omnipresent Warden in his launch would do the same in Walton Backwaters, but on the Deben we lack any equivalent enforcement authority - with four different Fairways Committees in eight miles of river, maybe it's what we deserve?

Sadly, some very experienced yachtsmen who are based on the Deben set a bad example by charging about in RIBS, often in the dark with no lights.

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[Rob_Webb]

Re: "Faster, faster...

But what form did this 'ton of bricks' take?
e.g.
1. Naughty words
2. Loud words
3. Fine
4. Ban
5. Confiscation
6. Concrete boots

And did it reduce likelihood of repeat offence?

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[BrianJ]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

In Sydney. totally banned.. in Melbourne, a quick call to the Water Police and .. wham..they are on to them.. personally I prefer the Shotgun aproach.
BrianJ

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[Mirelle]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

He was onto him in about two minutes from the chap zooming away from the Hard (past the speed limit notice) and gave him a firm verbal warning, taking his name and address and pointing out that any repeat would lead to a Summons and that the local Magistrates take it seriously.

It was the speed with which he intervened that impressed me. If people are pounced on straight away, they soon learn not to try it.

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[bazam]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

The problem seems to be getting worse at W.Mersea as well. There is an unrestricted area set aside for water skiing etc but this dosn't seem enough.

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[snowleopard]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

sign in the customs office in anguilla made my day

"Penalty for use of jetskis in anguillan waters: US$5,000 fine or 3 months imprisonment"

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[Robin]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

Cor - Poole could drop Council Tax by 50%

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[colvic]

Re: \"Faster, faster...

A video camera works wonders for showing the events to those in authority. Had a car insurance claim settled immediately the at fault insurers saw the "evidence".

Phil

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