HM Coastguard calls for jet skiers to respect other water users

[Blue Sunray]

How many people reading this have actually been hit by a jet ski? Not me I know.
But I have been hit by 2 yachts, 1 motor boat and countless dinghy racers in chichester harbour.
Let's all sit on our ivory decks casting stones at people.
After all we are all perfect arnt we.

Good point, well made.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Meanwhile I suspect many around here will have been hit exactly no times by the craft mentioned let alone a countless amount

 

[Blue Sunray]

Meanwhile I suspect many around here will have been hit exactly no times by the craft mentioned let alone a countless amount

As do I as many never venture into Chichester Harbour.

 

[greeny]

I've never been hit by a drunk driver or a speeding motorist. Some people have with devastating effects.

 

[Lucky Duck]

While I have every sympathy the poster who has been hit and understand the Chi has certain 'challenges' - I am aware that under COLREG it is very rare for an incident to be 100% one party's fault

 

[Pye_End]

What makes you think jetskiis follow colregs?

 

[Lucky Duck]

I doubt that they do but the two yachts, one motor boat and countless dinghies all should have done

 

[johnalison]

There are saints and sinners in all groups of boaters, but jet-skis uniquely appeal to those with infantile minds and big wallets. More importantly, they are a nuisance when in normal use, except for the rare occasion when they are compelled to go dead slow. We were sitting inland near the Colne the other day, and our peace was spoiled by the whine of a jet-ski that must have been a mile away. I feel desperately sorry for the residents of places like Holland-on-Sea or Frinton who bought houses some years ago and now can't enjoy a summer weekend on their balcony or front garden.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

It's a good reason to go offshore for a bit and enjoy the peace.

I'm not too concerned about PWC's but can sympathise with other areas
that get a lot of them. Surprised that the RNLI don't get involved at the
slips rather than funding overseas projects.

A much bigger problem that seems to affect everyone is cyclists riding on pavements at speed. I'm up for an increase in the Council Tax for pavement police.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Followed by professional servicing of all marine vessels, and 6 one day courses to complete in two years that cost a lot and teach little. Then restriction by size and weight, requiring annual medical, professional competancies evidenced etc etc etc.

Simple straight forward regulation with minimal cost implications that will make little difference in the real world.

Are a few PWCs worth all that. Yobish behaviour is a too frequent occurrence in our society, a few Ill thought out unenforceable rules will not prevent it

 

[LittleSister]

If you read the article, you would realise PWC are not classified as a vessel under UK maritime legislation. This should assist in creating legislation to control PWCs.

Don't hold your breath.

Successive governments have failed to use the power that the Secretary of State already has to just issue an order to make PWC subject to the rules governing 'vessels' and 'ships'. Various ministers over the years have issued warm words about their keenness to address the concerns people and organisations have raised.

Consultation was undertaken as to what measures should be taken, but that consultation closed in 2009!

Local, harbour and navigation authorities may issue their own controls on such craft.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

There has to be a lot of confusion in the minds of many PWC's.

As nearly everything else requires licensing, training, insurance etc you
are suddenly faced with a form of transport that can shift and requires nothing.

Mentally you therefore feel that there isn't too much to worry about. You could even possibly take legal action against someone or a harbour authority for not providing enough warning signs. I like others, don't think that licensing would solve the problem. Regrettably, headlines in the Sun showing a tragedy might.

 

[Tomahawk]

Sorry, I don't get the connection. What are we buying from abroad?

Sorrt my bad, I didn’t explain myself.
UK regulations increase the costs of doing everything and anything here. Meanwhile the compilation in China, India etc operate without the expensive regulations and can undercut our industry. We have ended up importing just about all our needs.

 

[greeny]

Sorrt my bad, I didn’t explain myself.
UK regulations increase the costs of doing everything and anything here. Meanwhile the compilation in China, India etc operate without the expensive regulations and can undercut our industry. We have ended up importing just about all our needs.

OK gotcha.

 

[ashtead]

My worry is the speed and lack of intelligence of jet skis and impact they have on lives if in an accident. It’s rather like giving a handguns to a south Londoner teenager and wondering why the murder rates rise. I’m sure many buy Ribs but tend in my experience to get themselves trying and insurance however those concepts seem alien to jet ski owners. There is also considerable noise pollution-you can hear them from well in land and surely others have the right to peace in their gardens. If they cannot see the red jet what hope do other craft have?

 

[PilotWolf]

They're a menace here.

There is one company that seems to operate responsibly but the individuals totally ignore speed limits and have o respect for anyone else even other PWC users

But then again the same could be said about the rental boas available out of the harbor.

W.

 

[Babylon]

So PilotWolf, what's the situation with regulation in the States (or California if that's different)?

 

[PilotWolf]

So PilotWolf, what's the situation with regulation in the States (or California if that's different)?

Not sure there is any regulation as such.

I don’t know if it applies to PWC but licensing is being introduced on an age basis over the next few years for boaters.

I volunteered for a period with the coastguard auxiliary. I won’t say why I left but despite my ‘official ’ USCG and MCA licenses they still insisted I did the basic training qualificatio.n!

The police/Baywatch will issue tickets If they catch them but it’s rare to see.

W.

 

[Graham376]

Not sure there is any regulation as such.

Many years ago I hired one in Florida, no experience required, just a quick briefing about kill cord and starter button.

 

[PilotWolf]

Many years ago I hired one in Florida, no experience required, just a quick briefing about kill cord and starter button.

I just think I’d Delboy on the Florida one .

W.