Jet Ski's - about time laws were made ....

[Mike_Martin]

Re: Other locations have taken action ...

I'd say that you want to exercise extreme caution here.

Any legislation on PWCs would be a perfect "thin end" for those in Govt. who would like to see all "pleasure craft" and their owners/operators licensed. You need to remember that although users see a difference between types of pleasure craft government doesn't.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[Guest]

Agreed .... but

isn't it a catch 22 ...... yes we do run the risk of increased legislation spilling over to us, but what value life ?
Sufficient laws / rules are in place - but no-one enforces them.

You coming from one of the Licencing Agencies know better than most about Govt interpretation .... but I am still willing to risk the overspill to get it sorted.

I am an ex Merchant Navy guy who is absolutely against Licencing of my sport - but I am also a realist in that I have to licence and comply in the Baltic's ... knowing that eventually it will come to good ol' UK ......

Is it not better to be at the front of the queue and have a say - rather than be at the tail end and be imposed on ..... ???


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Paulka]

Re: Jet Ski\'s - about time laws were made ....

This remaind me of PBO's "Letter of the Month" June 2002.
... Old story!

Some yachtmen, feed-up of the motor boats, water skiers, jet ski etc. asked the Harbour Commissioners to have a patrol to police the area.

Obligingly, the Commissioners bought a RIB, engaged a patrolman, briefed him, etc., by the Easter weekend, all was ready.

In the morning, the yachtmen were pleased to see jet skiers, motor boaters pay "on the spot" fines.

Then, the yachtmen motored to the start line of their regata, and were fined "on the spot" for not flying a black triangle!
After the regata, waiting for the tide, the yachtmen anchored off the bar.
The patrolman noticed that none of the yachtmen was flying a black ball, and fined them all!

At the end of the day, the patrolman was pleased to see he had collected £680, £80 from the powered crafts, £600 from the yachtmen.

Of course, not flying either a triangle or a ball is no annoyance for others, but if one asks for the law to be enforced .... then such mishaps may happen!
.... Not to speak about flares, first aid boxes, life jackets, etc.

Is this really what we want?

Paul.

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[PBrooks]

Re: Jet Ski\'s - about time laws were made ....

I have often wondered why we don't have to have identication numbers on all boats. Clearly displayed, these would allow you to report miscreants. Along with compulsory third party insurance, these would be two "acceptable" additional laws in my opinion

Best regards
Paul

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[ccscott49]

Re: My thoughts exactly ....

I hardly think these idiots are adolescents, unless of course adolescence goes on until you're thirty!

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[Stemar]

Re: My thoughts exactly ....

See http://www.west.net/~lpm/hobie/archives/v1-i2/humor.shtml

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[sjw]

Re: Agreed .... but

Ok they need regulating but leave it to the jet ski associations and dealers to ensure compulsury,training,insurance etc, because laws play into the hands of the enviromentalists who will only be happy when the seals and the seagulls are the only things using our estuarys.

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[alan43]

Re: Jet Ski\'s banned from Sydney Harbour

True, jet-ski's are no longer allowed in Sydney Harbour. A politician's response to a problem, just ban the activity altogether. There were a few other recreational boat users (even among those who detest jet-ski's) who were not completely comfortable with the thought that a minority activity should be totally suppressed in this way, it sets a worrying precedent. As boat users, we are all only a minority in the wider community, and we should be cautious about endorsing the suppression of other minorities.
It has to be said though that the jet-skiers brought it on themselves. Despite a licensing regime which requires jet-skiers to hold (& carry) a licence with a photographic ID, and registration of the boat itself, the Waterways Authority were finding that nearly 50% of all reported incidents involved a jet-ski even though only 5% of the recreational powerboat licences were issued to jet-ski riders.

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[Mike_Martin]

Re: Agreed .... but

YES there is a definite "Catch 22" in operation here!

For things to be done properly at Sea all vessel owners need to be made aware of (at least) the fact that there are rules and regs to be followed. The problem is that the only way HM Govt could organise that would be through some form of compulsory registration (licence if you will) of all vessel owners followed by compusory training. In my personal opinion definitely not a good idea, although if pushed I could make a very good case to Ministers to do so.

I far prefer the option of "self regulation". This would mean that Associations (with Govt support) would have to take the reins and find ways of getting this information out in a "supply" rather than "demand" system to all vessel owners.

Over the years I have discussed (not with colleagues) a system (similar to television purchases) where every new buyer of a vessel must register their details with the MCA (Dept of Transport). However, the twist is that rather than being sent out some kind of application form for "Boat Owner Registration" they are sent out a folder (free of charge) which details ALL laws and rules that they will need to have knowledge of to be a safe user, along with contact details (prices, durations and locations etc) for all training that they may need with explanations of why the courses will help.

I think that a strong case could also be made to Dept of Transport for a system of subsidies for the training on the grounds that it (as time goes on) could well help to save its Departmental budget on the grounds of increased safety at Sea. This of course would be fantastic Political fodder for Ministers and MPs as it would be reducing the "Tax burden" on the "voter".

In the death it would mean that less people could just jump into a "Trailer Sailer" after a £15 slip and ram the first thing they see.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency