Jetski Idiots

[Keith 66]

Today was the Round Canvey island rowing / sailing race organised by Benfleet yacht club, great event with 31 entries.
Approaching the last stretch near the A130 road bridge we were rowing close to the bank when 4 or 5 jetskis approached at speed from ahead & swerved at us, the first one passed deliberately so close to our boat that we were deluged by solid water, a second later a second one did the same. We had no chance of indentifying the riders as we were blinded by spray. The boat was nearly swamped. We finished the race rather angry!
The morons did the same to the boat behind us.
On getting back to the club we found that the jetskiers had done the same to several boats with small children aboard doing sail training plus safety boats.
On the plus side we met several PWC riders who were friendly & courteous. And then this happens, as ever a minority spoiling it for a majority.
Photos were taken by some so we may have a chance of identifying the morons.

 

[Tomahawk]

Is it jet ski types or TOWIE?

 

[Keith 66]

We call them the Romford Navy.

 

[Tomahawk]

I always thought the Romford Navy were equipped with large white gin palaces.

The jet sky types seem to think of themselves as the SBS. STUPID boat service.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Last Saturday there were a couple of ribs hurtling through the moorings at W. Mersea at about 10pm. Zoomed past the launch and weaved in and about of the moored boats. Seemed to think it was hilarious. They probably think Russell Brand is funny too. The launch boatman wasn't impressed but didn't seem to think there was much to be done.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I though the launch turned into a pumpkin around 6:30pm?

 

[Champagne Murphy]

I though the launch turned into a pumpkin around 6:30pm?

Nope, not in summer anyway. Can't recall the hours exactly but there's a fella there who's a liveaboard. We chatted to him and he said the evenings suit him just fine.

 

[Marmalade]

Blackwater - last year; jetskiers thought it amusing to pull fast turns and soak dinghies in water (we were in the Tideway) in Mayland Creek. Hilarious. Not.

 

[Major_Clanger]

We need a series of barriers, a bit like the anti-submarine ones used in the last war. Only difference would be they'd be two feet above the water and made of cheese wire.....

 

[Cantata]

Following a tip from someone else, if I see one approaching with evil intent I now aim my camera at them. It has always worked so far.
I hope soneone has reported the round-Canvey incident to the Essex Police Marine Unit? OK the incident is history but the info will all help.

 

[Keith 66]

BYC Vice Com spent hours on Saturday trying to get police involvement, finally got to speak to someone this morning. it would appear the Marine section is either closed or unavailable, we had a call at the club this lunchtime from police saying nothing they could do. This with numerous witnesses & good photos.
I expect everyone will be sorry when a kid gets run down.

 

[dash300]

It's a seasonal problem just like mosquitos. We all suffer from them. However I firmly believe their IQ is in direct proportion to the size of their craft. Just thank God they don't aspire to anything larger!

 

[jimi]

BYC Vice Com spent hours on Saturday trying to get police involvement, finally got to speak to someone this morning. it would appear the Marine section is either closed or unavailable, we had a call at the club this lunchtime from police saying nothing they could do. This with numerous witnesses & good photos.
I expect everyone will be sorry when a kid gets run down.

Suggest you contact the police commissioner and local MP asking if the police are unable to perform their function of policing public safety and , if so, requesting that they are enabled to do so.

 

[Toutvabien]

The marine police have responded well to a similar nuisance around Brightlingsea, a number of jetski riders who were breaking by-laws etc were nicked on the water a few weeks ago and subsequently others found the police waiting for them on Point Clear when they recovered their craft.

 

[spottydog]

There is a similar problem at Pin Mill at the moment. Liveaboards from a boat beached on the hard are buzzing around the moorings causing a nuisance and endangering people in dinghies. Locals are incensed but so far have failed to engage the interest of the police or harbour authority.

 

[Keith 66]

We now have progress, PC Dawn Wood of the Essex Marine section is now on the case, hopefully we will get somewhere!

 

[Major_Clanger]

I've had a hiatus from the Blackwater for twenty years, so forgive my ignorance... What happened to Alert III? She was always a familiar and friendly sight on the river.

 

[ex-Gladys]

I've had a hiatus from the Blackwater for twenty years, so forgive my ignorance... What happened to Alert III? She was always a familiar and friendly sight on the river.

Alert III was sold and replaced with Alert IV, based in BYH...

 

[Tomahawk]

Which is now a private boat ..

 

[PeterWright]

Alert III was sold and replaced with Alert IV, based in BYH...

Not only is she based there, she rarely deems to move from her berth. One would have thought that the concern about illegal immigrants, crude and firearms, the frequency of patrols would increase but, as an outgoing treasury minister stated in his note to his successor a few years ago, "there is no money" and we're still getting deeper into debt. I fear for my grandsons.

Peter