Jet ski-ing Dangers

[johnthorpe]

I am on the River Orwell, Suffolk and have noticed the increased use of jet ski-ing in the river. I would appreciate the opinion of others on this suggest.
My swinging mooring is at Pin Mill and the jet ski-ers are travelling in the region of 30 knots around moored boats and close to the slip way (they do in fact launch from Pin Mill or Woolverstone).
At night they carry no lights and maintain high speed. They operate both within the main channel and outside. They are highly manouvrable and unpredicatable in their turns.
I am really concerned about safety when travelling with young children in my tender.
Yours views please and what further action would you recommend to try to avoid an 'accident waiting to happen'?

 

[LORDNELSON]

Jet skiers are very worrying, there were some in Studland Bay last week who did not seem to have had any training in use of their vessels. "The Daily Telegraph" on Saturday, August 6th, 2005, carried two articles about jet skiers, one of which reported a jet skier jailed for 6 months for "being the master of a ship he committed an act which caused serious injury by breaking or neglecting any duty", the second article carried some details about prohibition of jet skiers and referred to the Norfolk Broads which has specific bylaws to ban the use of jet skis and the Camel Estuary which controls access to the water (ie they do not ban them, they just do allow them to to launch).
It seems to me these craft are very dangerous and the RYA attitude of education rather than licensing is inappropriate in this situation. I would suggest: (1)we all keep up pressure on "the authorities", MP's, RYA etc., (2) Try to schedule our use of tenders at times when jet skiers are not likely to be around, (3) See, particularly in view of the recent court ruling and sentence, if there is not some way of getting control over the use of PWC's by use of the Health and Safety Executives laws - it would seem to me that a local authority (etc) having had the dangers explained to them might well be found wanting if they take no action to regulate the use of PWC's.

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
Try to schedule our use of tenders at times when jet skiers are not likely to be around,

[/ QUOTE ] ???????? That would be any time it's too dark to see then.
They do need some form of regulation, but, as has been said many times, Jetskis appeal to the James Bond mentality where laws are not an issue, and there is no licence to revoke anyway.
Policing Jetski-free zones is a costly business and even with by-laws in place, unless it's a Policeman that stops them they don't have to give their name and address, even if they do it could be a false one.
Instant impounding of the craft would have a definite effect. A nationwide law introduced to regulate PWC use (á la DEFRA and the 4X4s) and then a hit squad of Control Wardens with a fast Rib and a big wagon and a Hi-ab.

 

[michael_99]

I often see them on the Brisbane river, totally with no regard for speed limit at all. They zoom past moored boat and cause big wash for the people using their tender getting to and from their boats.Speed limits apply to them too, but that would be too boring, and you would look like a sissy doing 10km/h.

 

[mocruising]

Try stringing a piano wire between two moored boats, it seems to work in the movies.

 

[tim3057]

Just had a friend's 16yr old daughter killed by her boyfriend on jetskis in Cyprus. Have also seen group of jetskiers doing 20 knots up the river to Wareham quay, swamping a couple of quite elderly canoists, somebody jetskiing under the Gosport ferry terminal pier, the list goes on and on.

I would seriously support any move to regulate, police, prosecute, ban or otherwise seriously inconvenience this group of water-abusers who seem, by the very nature of the vessels they command, to be consistently irresponsible.

First step: I promise to write to the RYA after this summer break. Lets DO something about this problem.

 

[Guest]

I\'m told that a light line floating can do irreparable damage ...

Learned gent when I reported my incident where I was side-swiped by one outside Cowes ... reliably informed that a light line left floating CAN ingest into the engine system causing serious damage and probably failure of drive system ....

The side-swipe incident was well doc'd on this forum .... but about 2 yr ago my wife and I were handing the main before entering Cowes - a group of JS at full throttle were roaring out from Cowes .... one decided to make a hard sharp turn to kick up a large wash near my stbd side .... he overcooked it and actually hit my boat .... side-on .... the wave swamped up and over cockpit, into cabin etc. My wife was so close to falling in it was a miracle she didn't.
I called the CG and reported it - whereupon other yachts called in reporting similar .... I called again and stated clearly that I would prosecute / aid police whatever necessary .... I think they were apprehended at Lee on Solent ... but heard nothing more .....

Me ? My Wife ? We both would ban them without a moments hesitation ....

 

[sofka]

Tim, I was moored up on the Frome at Wareham too and got hit by huge wash from fast jetskies . just as I was getting into in the tender. Given it is a 4 knot limit and cramped moorings it seems very irrisponsible. Mind you there are a few other people in boats that speed up and down here as well not just jet skies.

 

[bilbobaggins]

This growing hazard to us all was raised years ago in the RYA Cruising Committee. It was then agreed that these JS could be made to display a registration, and that existing law and local byelaws, if enforced, could remove the pests. They mostly launch at public slipway sites, controlled by local authorities, and their vehicles parked there could be required to display the JS registration as a condition of parking/launching. Their vehicles could be 'clamped' pending investigation of complaints.

The chairman of the RYA Cruising Committee refused to take the issue 'upstairs', despite most delegate/members expressing their ( clubs'/associations' ) concerns.

 

[gandy]

I don't think regulation specifically for jet skis would be such a good idea. Enforce existing rules the same as for any other vessel. Imagine otherwise - you ban jet skis, and the same guys now start doing exactly the same things in small RIBs or similar.

Tony S

 

[ex-Gladys]

HAve to hand it to Essex Police Marine Branch. See them around the Blackwater quite a lot, and on a number of occassions asking people to prove ownership.....

 

[oldharry]

[ QUOTE ]

I would seriously support any move to regulate, police, prosecute, ban or otherwise seriously inconvenience this group of water-abusers who seem, by the very nature of the vessels they command, to be consistently irresponsible.

Lets DO something about this problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

Couldnt agree more: I have no problem with anyone wanting to enjoy themselves on the water - in fact just the opposite, but these craft seem to attract a yob element otherwise largely missing from our sport. (Apart from the odd Moboer who has indulged in too many G&Ts and drives his tub at 30 knots through a busy anchorage on a Bank Hol - and thats a rather different category).

I had no problem with PWCs. Indeed I must admit to a more than passing desire to 'have a go' on one. But I feel rather as I used to in my motorcycling days - badly let down by behaviour of what seemed a majority of bikers. But more far more than bikers, PWC owners' behaviour seems so consistently bad that I will gladly put my name to any means of controlling, stopping or otherwise curbing their dangerous and anti social activities.

The danger is of course that we will all be tarred by the same brush, and the Beaurotwats will fail to differentiate between PWC drivers and the rest of us. The courts have already defined a PWC as a 'ship' within the meaning of relevant legislation, so the legal framework for this is already falling in to place with its usual lack of judicial discrimination.

 

[riojasailer]

Remarkably few of them around Conwy yesterday for a change - but then there was a Police rib zooming around the bay as we came back in.

 

[jerryat]

Yes, count me in too. We have a small, but highly dangerous problem here on the Tamar that I've mentioned here before.

Whilst one or two PWC drivers generally obey the speed limits, the majority don't, and it is only a matter of time IMHO before a child in a dinghy, or someone trying to board their boat loses their life.

There will then, of course, be an outcry, and probably some action taken, but what a price to pay!

I too, on a hot sunny day, have thought it would be nice to 'have a go ', especially as my first boating years were with powerboats, so my view is not unfairly biased.

I am very surprised that the RYA haven't got invloved (to my knowledge) by pressing for more legal control, as I don't believe that, in this instance, trying to persuade most of these people to train voluntarily has a hope in hell of working.

I agree with Gandy Goose in that any new rules/restrictions should apply to all craft, not specifically PWC's, even though these are clearly the main culprits.

Jerry

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
Instant impounding of the craft

[/ QUOTE ]Followed by say a £5000 fine and the crushing / total destruction of the craft. In fact I would make the offender press the start button on the crusher personally. After ther had been a few jet-skis/pwc confiscated and crushed the rest of the PWC users (excluding one or two hard core morons) would surely "toe the line".

I believe everyone should have the freedom to enjoy their chosen recreation so long as they do not seriously detract from the enjoyment of others.
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo

 

[Guest]

Stupid thought ....

If JS were allocated special areas, special rules etc. - would that incur a possible case against us slower more sedate bigger brethren ?>???? if we ventured into their high speed areas etc.

Just a stupid thought !!!! Bit like the old codger doing 50 in the outside lane of dual carraigeway / motorway and others having accidents going round him !!!!

Ok - I'll shut-up !!

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[duncan]

Re: Stupid thought ....

no, pretty much the same as waterski areas etc.

In Poole Harbour the Jet ski area is a might shallow for most other craft though.

If you want a really scary proposition I understand that a firm has just about finished sorting through the red tape and is looking to provide 'jet ski hire' in Poole Harbour.............. PHC have apparantly 'agreed' (suspect they can't actually do anything about the business per see) and insurers have been sourced (1800 per machine for a 6 week period was mentioned).
So - you pay (say) £100 an hour to hire one of these things and set off on the 2 mile trip to the jet ski area....will you (1) travel at 6 knots / 10 knots as the route demands taking 30mins to get there and back (from a proposed business base site) or.............

Back to the thread - I would never wish to ban any particular type of vessel per se but on the other hand I would wish to see a significantly harder stance taken in certain situations - zipping around in a 4 knot anchorage / swiming area and amongst moorings is not a warning offense!
I believe that all jet skis have clearly visible registration numbers, most areas require a permit and or insurance proof to be given before launching is permitted so banning a particular individual from launching is not too onerous a task to start with.

 

[cliff]

Re: Stupid thought ....

[ QUOTE ]
Speed spills
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Police officers are joining forces with the Coastguard to crack down on rogue motor boat owners following an increase in 'reckless behaviour' towards other water users.

Firemen, harbour masters and lifeboatmen will also join forces to gather evidence to prosecute the offenders.

A Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesman said: 'The tide has turned against people who think they can act outside the law when on the water.'

[/ QUOTE ]I sincerely hope this includes the many rogue jet-skiers not only the odd rogue MoBo'er.
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo

 

[ColinS]

Harwich Harbour Authority (HHA Online) state that there is a 6 knot speed limit on the River Orwell. Perhaps they have never had the Jet Ski problem reported to them officially.

 

[waveydavey]

Ladies and Gents,
As a user of a PWC I'm quite ashamed to read the above posts.
There are a huge number of us that are trying our best to have a good time on the water as well as thinking about the consequences of the way in which we do so.
I have 3 children that ride my ski with me and I assure you that I often fail to launch when I see "the nutters" on my local water.
So I joined a club.
As a member of Clacton watercraft club I am proud of the way the club insists on good conduct or being refused a launch. There are many who feel as I do that the rogues are spoiling the fun for everyone else.
PLEASE report the idiots that are racing up rivers and causing huge wash. If there is a speed limit then the local authority can confiscate the craft.
I'm going to post a link to this thread on our jet ski forums (www.pwcforums.co.uk), this will increase support for your concerns
Kindest Regrds
Simon