Jet Ski legislation on the way?

[Babylon]

Today's Times reports that:

"Ministers are drawing up proposals to govern so-called motorbikes of the sea after repeated warnings about the threat posed to swimmers, paddle-boarders and wildlife.

The government is considering classifying jet skis, some of which can reach speeds of almost 70mph, as vessels. This would require owners to officially register them. It would also subject users to maritime law, allowing them to be prosecuted for negligence, endangering others, causing accidents and being drunk. It is intended to close a loophole that allows jet skis to be operated outside the scope of legislation that applies to other boats and ships."

Calls grow for action to curb jet ski louts

 

[RivalRedwing]

good!

 

[europe172]

Today's Times reports that:

"Ministers are drawing up proposals to govern so-called motorbikes of the sea after repeated warnings about the threat posed to swimmers, paddle-boarders and wildlife.

The government is considering classifying jet skis, some of which can reach speeds of almost 70mph, as vessels. This would require owners to officially register them. It would also subject users to maritime law, allowing them to be prosecuted for negligence, endangering others, causing accidents and being drunk. It is intended to close a loophole that allows jet skis to be operated outside the scope of legislation that applies to other boats and ships."

Calls grow for action to curb jet ski louts

But there is no current requirement to register vessels. So reclassification would have no effect unless this is also included

 

[sarabande]

Registration, insurance, and a GPS "tag" to record location and speed ?

 

[europe172]

Registration, insurance, and a GPS "tag" to record location and speed ?

Careful what you wish for, could quickly encompass everyone on the water

 

[Mark-1]

The Journo has their details badly mixed up IMHO. I'm pretty sure jet skis are already vessels.

They are almost certainly already ships in spite of a single previous case:

Editorial: Is a jet ski a ship?

But there is no current requirement to register vessels. So reclassification would have no effect unless this is also included

Agree. The journo seems very confused about all of the detail here.

The most we can say is something is being considered WRT jet skis.

 

[Tomahawk]

Careful what you wish for, could quickly encompass everyone on the water

Which the bug huggers would just love.
One persons hobby taking pecidence over another peersons freedom.

 

[oldgit]

Good Luck with that . !
Down ere ....where you can buy something that floats ( much bigger and possibly more deadly) , start the engine and off you go.
The only not very well enforced ( ie. never) rule is you are supposed to register any boat above 5 metres in length with the local harbour authority.
This is widely ignored by most owners and probably the rest do even know the requirement exists.
The non payers bleat about not getting anything for their money.

 

[jwilson]

As othesr have said, there is no requirement in UK law to register small vessels, but there may be offences that the master (skipper/driver) of a jetski could be charged with that would not be possible if it was a beach toy and not a vessel.

Much as I dislike jetskis I really don't want compulsory registration of jetskis. It would rapidly be expanded to all other pleasure vessels.

 

[oldgit]

As othesr have said, there is no requirement in UK law to register small vessels, but there may be offences that the master (skipper/driver) of a jetski could be charged with that would not be possible if it was a beach toy and not a vessel.

Much as I dislike jetskis I really don't want compulsory registration of jetskis. It would rapidly be expanded to all other pleasure vessels.

................its all fine so long as its somebody else (ie. oiks on jetskis and they actually look like they are enjoying themselves...outrageous.), gets it in the neck.
Ones own particular watery hobby is of course full of responsible people such as oneself , who most certainly do not need regulation. ?
Personally I have a problem with 15 tonnes of sports cruiser coming past me at 25 knots...........................to begin with , I cannot afford one.
Owners of flybridges are far more considerate and above reproach.

 

[Keith 66]

About time, bring it on. They are an absolute menace round here.

 

[Babylon]

I don't want to see over-regulation of anyone's leisure-time activity (and I've come across plenty of considerable, responsible jet-skiers) but when harbour masters and the suchlike are powerless to control what is too often a wildly powerful and sometimes dangerous nuisance, then measured legislation is in order. At a minimum jet-skies need to be classed as 'vessels', so that at least normal maritime law can be applied.

 

[Gary Fox]

I don't want to see over-regulation of anyone's leisure-time activity (and I've come across plenty of considerable, responsible jet-skiers) but when harbour masters and the suchlike are powerless to control what is too often a wildly powerful and sometimes dangerous nuisance, then measured legislation is in order. At a minimum jet-skies need to be classed as 'vessels', so that at least normal maritime law can be applied.

Didn't a judge make a foolish ruling, that they are not subject to the colregs? Someone needs to get a grip on the whole situation.
The lack of registration means there is lots of crime (theft, handling etc) involved with jetskis. For this reason they need number plates like motorbikes, or a database of engine and chassis numbers, because they are a special case; easy to steal, difficult to drive, capable of causing death very easily.
I don't think HM's are powerless. Billy the previous HM at Littlehampton introduced strict rules about jetskis on the Arun, eg registration, speed limits, etc.
I know that some owners got prosecuted, craft confiscated etc, so it can be done.
Why can't every HM do the same? It must be down to individual harbours, and enforcement. Eg I have never seen one in Spithead, but plenty on the Medway.
Also they need a new name, I can't think of one insulting enough but printable right now. 'Motorised micropenis'?

 

[Giblets]

I have never seen one in Spithead, but plenty on the Medway.

You won't see too many in Spithead as it is too far away from the shore and they can't go in to poser mode which is what they thrive on. Try coming a bit closer into shore between Langstone and Portsmouth Harbour entrance on a sunny summer weekend.

 

[Stemar]

Making them vessels would do 90% of what we'd like to see without affecting the majority of responsible jetskiers. I suspect the bit about registration is just another bit of journalistic ignorance.

 

[Rappey]

I had a go on a jetskis and after 5 mins I just wanted off. Found it really boring.
I would much rather have a speedboat but seems a little unfair creating legislation just for jetskis ? Motorbikes don't have different rules to cars ?
You have to have a license issued by qhm, insurance and possibly datatagged to use them within 0.5 miles of portsmouth harbour.
It's the riders that can be a menace. Unfair towards responsible users.

 

[mjcoon]

... Motorbikes don't have different rules to cars ?

I thought they did - cross-hatched areas of road especially for them but forbidden to cars?

 

[rotrax]

I worked for Kawasaki who made the first Jetski that sold in appreciable numbers.
The first was designed and tested just post WW2 by Phillip Vincent of motorbike fame, using the novel two stroke lifeboat engine he designed.
You are absolutely correct. Once you have mastered - on the first stand up ones anyway - getting on, standing up and getting a bit of speed out of one, what do you do next? You cant take the family cruising and have a beach picnic.
KMUK Ltd. leased a lake near the M4 and I had unlimited access to all our demo products and free use of the lake. IIRC I went twice, once with the then Jetski 'World Champion' the American ex Speedway racer John 'Cowboy' Cook. He was amazing, could even dive it under and up again like a porpoise!
His ' World Championship' was a bit like the Baseball WC - only the yanks were doing it!
They are totally different now with two seater sit on models capable of high speeds.
First Mate and I assisted the Littlehampton HM prosecute two tossers terrorising the harbour one evening. They were arrested by plod after refusing to come ashore after making threats to other water users and operating their tuned up very noisy Jetski's in a dangerous manner.
Harbour authorities do have some powers but enforcement is the issue. In Littlehampton you must be registered with the HM - only possible after training - have insurance and pay Harbour dues/slip fees.
Littlehampton's registered Jetskiers are 99% good operators. It is the visitor/newbies who dont know the drill, or dont care about registering or the consequences.
And, like the tearaway bikers on the road, it was ever thus.

 

[[2068]]

Also they need a new name, I can't think of one insulting enough but printable right now. 'Motorised micropenis'?

Similar comments were probably made about motorcyclists by rich motorcar owners in their tweed jackets and felt safety hats.

Most European have compulsory registration for boats.
The UK SSR is not difficult nor expensive: I’m not sure why people would be against it, jet skis included.

Most jet skiers I encounter in the Solent are sensible, and I will slow down to generate some wake for them to jump if they approach. The jet skiers near the Ferryboat don’t always stick to the speed limits, but it’s well known as being a jet ski alley, and not many people swim there (you‘d be swept away by the current).

 

[ashtead]

I would have thought enforcement by a few harbour volunteers would soon control to ensure they were trained and insured. Lots of volunteers at Portsmouth harbour mouth just looking for activity in their retirement who I’m sure could sort them out if given the chance to stop and search .