PWC Incidents

[Assassin]

With another reported collision between a jet ski and motor boat in Poole just how many incidents are these hideous contraptions going to be involved in before something is done about them. I have had several near misses with them and it is always their fault as the riders seem to have little to know knowledge of boats and most appear to think themselves invincible.

Should compulsory insurance be introduced for them, or perhaps compulsory training before they are allowed anywhere near water; or should they be billed for emergency crews costs when they launch to rescue them from the aftermath of accidents.

Many seem to flout the regulations about virtually everything, many seem oblivious about straying into the path of much larger craft, or do they simply not realise powered boats are not fitted with Ferodo, so cannot stop like a car.

One solution i heard proposed recently is that all boat owners should carry a couple of shotguns and use them as targets for target practise.

 

[aquapower]

With another reported collision between a jet ski and motor boat in Poole just how many incidents are these hideous contraptions going to be involved in before something is done about them. I have had several near misses with them and it is always their fault as the riders seem to have little to know knowledge of boats and most appear to think themselves invincible.

Should compulsory insurance be introduced for them, or perhaps compulsory training before they are allowed anywhere near water; or should they be billed for emergency crews costs when they launch to rescue them from the aftermath of accidents.

Many seem to flout the regulations about virtually everything, many seem oblivious about straying into the path of much larger craft, or do they simply not realise powered boats are not fitted with Ferodo, so cannot stop like a car.

One solution i heard proposed recently is that all boat owners should carry a couple of shotguns and use them as targets for target practise.

I really love it when some ar...ole has to make comments like this as its the same in all sports you will always get the minority spoil it for the rest.

I have been doing this sport for 15 years now as well as motorboating and never had a problem and yes I do agree that training and insurance should be compulsary and a lot of the places I have launched require a copy of insurance and or certificate of training before they let you on the water.
Where I live there is a bigger problem with motorbikes flying round the roads at double the speed limit, yet nothing ever gets said.

 

[adrianb]

Of course some spoil it for the many - in every sport/hobby blah blah

We do not need compulsory licencing of PWC, motor boats, yachts - sensible users take the courses, and pass(!), and enjoy being on the water.


Chill !

 

[Ubergeekian]

With another reported collision between a jet ski and motor boat in Poole just how many incidents are these hideous contraptions going to be involved in before something is done about them.

Agreed. Luckily, most of them stay in marinas for 99% of the time and so don't get in the way of sailing boats ... or PWCs

 

[Sundowner Portofino]

I think the shotgun idea sounds like the way forward

In seriouness though of course there is a minority in all sports it just seems that with Jet Skis, it is the minority that are sensible considerate users, and the rest are total tossers. IMHO

 

[Wiggo]

One solution i heard proposed recently is that all boat owners should carry a couple of shotguns and use them as targets for target practise.

Stupid bloody idea! Have you any idea what the salt atmosphere would do to the barrels???

 

[Assassin]

Aquapower:

So i am an ar##hole, well thats really constructive and possibly says more about you than anyone else, particularly when you appear to be defending these idiots. Diversionary tactics about motorcycles contribute nothing to a debate, the issue is the idiots on jet skis who create problems for other water users.

I have noticed an upsurge of such instances in the past few years, notably the last three years, an observation also noticed by many other water users i come into contact with. Defending such idiots does nothing for the sport, nor does it do anything for the decent users of jet ski's who use a little common sense and abide by a few basic rules and do not create such incidents. This is why such craft are often banned from a number of areas and slips.

Generally it follows the same line, one starts showing off, then more join in not to be outdone, a basic mob mentality; then it gets serious and all the rules are flouted and we end up with accidents and near misses. Why should anyone suffer damage to their boat, or personal injury from such stupidity, and why should we have to absorb the costs if we are hit by uninsured craft. Generally it is the youngsters who seem to be involved in such occurences.

 

[BrendanS]

a few years ago, several jet skiers came on here, to try and build bridges. They were sensible, educated, well reasoned, and explained how not all jet skiers were the same, and that they were trying to educate the few problem individuals they knew or encountered, doing charity work on the water, observed speed limits in restricted areas, were sensible in crowded areas etc.
They were hounded off the forums by narrow minded bigots who wouldn't understand another point of view if it was a shot gun barrel pointed at their face.
Very unfortunate, as it could have been a useful bridge building exercise, and I expect they went away with a very tainted view of the rest of the boating community.

 

[Assassin]

An interesting point Brendon as we had a club near us who tried the same thing, they tried building bridges and it worked, the problem was no matter how they tried with the idiots, they failed. It did highlight the fact that the idiots would not listen, not even to other jet skiers who wanted to change things for the better, and not be tarnished by these idiots actions.

 

[BrendanS]

It doesn't help to alienate the decent ones though, which is what happened on here. Some people will not accept there are a few idiots, and many decent ones. The decent ones left here, and that shouldn't have happened.

 

[aquapower]

Aquapower:

So i am an ar##hole, well thats really constructive and possibly says more about you than anyone else, particularly when you appear to be defending these idiots. Diversionary tactics about motorcycles contribute nothing to a debate, the issue is the idiots on jet skis who create problems for other water users.

I have noticed an upsurge of such instances in the past few years, notably the last three years, an observation also noticed by many other water users i come into contact with. Defending such idiots does nothing for the sport, nor does it do anything for the decent users of jet ski's who use a little common sense and abide by a few basic rules and do not create such incidents. This is why such craft are often banned from a number of areas and slips.

Generally it follows the same line, one starts showing off, then more join in not to be outdone, a basic mob mentality; then it gets serious and all the rules are flouted and we end up with accidents and near misses. Why should anyone suffer damage to their boat, or personal injury from such stupidity, and why should we have to absorb the costs if we are hit by uninsured craft. Generally it is the youngsters who seem to be involved in such occurences.

So we know you dont like jetskis and you have made your point, that doesnt bother me as I will continue enjoying my sport without it affecting you, but one thing you need to look at before you shout about them too much is how many accidents/deaths have there been involving jetskis compared to motorboats/ribs ? I seen to remember a fatal accident involving a rib in Scotland recently do you not like ribs either?
Im sure there is many ribs/jekskis used as tenders on motorboats but that im sure you will find is ok

 

[timgriffin]

It's a shame when this happens I guess the incident was reported to the Harbour Master.

But it is the minority who do spoil it for the many but we have those in all sports don't we.


I can see it from all sides though and without proper facts it just sounds like another rant at PWC's could you explain in more detail what happened or is it something you heard in the bar.

Ta Tim

 

[aquapower]

Tim I see you do PWC courses, do you do many and do you find its only the responsible type who do it, and do you have people who worry you and think they should not be alowed out on the water?

When talking to the dealers now they say that due to the cost of the macines that its only the mature sensible people who can now afford to buy one and that new sales are down

 

[Assassin]

Aquapower:

Please stop making assumptions and trying to put words into my mouth, i have no issues with any other craft which are used correctly, and a little common sense applied, i have issues with the idiots who seem to be increasing in numbers.

The latest story was reported in the magazine, it occured in Poole and involved a jet ski colliding with a boat, it left the boat stranded on a sand bar and the rider with serious head injuries.

I have noticed a dramatic increase in such activities over the last three years, and this is echoed by a number of other boaters who have also been involved in such incidents or very near misses. The issue is what we do about these idiots to protect ourselves and boats from injury or damage, and what others think should be done about them.

 

[gandy]

If you introduce compulsory licensing, training, insurance, registration etc for Jetskis how long do you think it would be before its force onto all types of craft? Maybe RIBs next, then all power boats, then all boats with an engine. Then someone will do something silly in a rowing boat or kayak.

All these things are compulsory on the road, and it doesn't seem to stop the idiots there.

I don't love Jetskis myself, but it should be the behaviour that's addressed not the type of boat. I've seen slipways blocked by jetski trailers but also by RIB and even sailing boat trolleys as well.

 

[Chris_d]

If you introduce compulsory licensing, training, insurance, registration etc for Jetskis how long do you think it would be before its force onto all types of craft? Maybe RIBs next, then all power boats, then all boats with an engine. Then someone will do something silly in a rowing boat or kayak.

All these things are compulsory on the road, and it doesn't seem to stop the idiots there.

I don't love Jetskis myself, but it should be the behaviour that's addressed not the type of boat. I've seen slipways blocked by jetski trailers but also by RIB and even sailing boat trolleys as well.

Agree with that, have to say I'm not surprised this happened in Poole the behaviour of all types of craft in the channel leading to the entrance is appalling, everyman for himself in my experience and sod any rules whether sail, power or pwc, I was glad to get back to the Thames after two short summers there.

 

[spannerman]

Our sales dept sell Sea-Doo and the latest version has 255hp and will do over 60 kts! They cost around £26,000 here in Norway so its not many young people that have them, more the 30+ age group who want to be young judging by the look of them. They are in every day demanding we repair them pronto as they have sucked up stones and knackered the impellor from riding in too shallow water.
I can repair them but can't be a**sed, so I send them to the other guy who works for us and he complains that he swamped with repairs, there are 5 of the things in the workshop now waiting repair as he is on holiday and there they will stay as I only work on the bigger stuff 40 ft and over.
The incredible thing is that they are illegal in Norway, you are allowed to sell them but not use them, its a £700 fine from the water police for using one, unfortunately they will be legal soon but there are rules like riding so many metres from the shore and below so many knots inside that when coming to land, which will be blatantly ignored, so hopefully they will damage their impellors and grind to a stop.
I have no problem with them in the right place having ridden many hours on the ICW in and around Miami where you can even go to waterside restaurants with them, but there is a code of conduct that makes them acceptable.
Buts lets face it over here they are just a toy they are not a real boat that you use to go someplace and they seem to insist on blasting up and down close to land with a 'look at me' attitude and when you are relaxing on a beach or at anchor they are just plain annoying so I understand the general reaction to them as a menace and the majority of riders don't help their cause so no wonder there is little or no sympathy when things go wrong.
If the riders show more consideration I am sure we could all enjoy the water but its a vain hope I fear.

 

[timgriffin]

Buts lets face it over here they are just a toy they are not a real boat that you use to go someplace.

Over here they go cross channel .

Aqua power I run the basic pwc course and most of the clients are sensible mid 30's I am 48 and still love em, I also run the Instructor course and most clients are young 20 somethings working on superyachts and again sensible.

I also run Rescue Water Craft Courses for the Royal Life Saving Society Beach Lifeguards and they are young 18 to 25 year olds also sensible so no age group in my mind is worse than the other I am the biggest kid.
It is the stupid minority that spoil things but that can be applied to all disciplines so better education is required not legislation.

PWC clubs are more self regulating than some yacht clubs no certificate of competency not allowed to join use the slipway's and so on.Some clubs raise huge amounts of cash for charity as well.
Ta
Tim

 

[aquapower]

Over here they go cross channel .

Aqua power I run the basic pwc course and most of the clients are sensible mid 30's I am 48 and still love em, I also run the Instructor course and most clients are young 20 somethings working on superyachts and again sensible.

I also run Rescue Water Craft Courses for the Royal Life Saving Society Beach Lifeguards and they are young 18 to 25 year olds also sensible so no age group in my mind is worse than the other I am the biggest kid.
It is the stupid minority that spoil things but that can be applied to all disciplines so better education is required not legislation.

PWC clubs are more self regulating than some yacht clubs no certificate of competency not allowed to join use the slipway's and so on.Some clubs raise huge amounts of cash for charity as well.
Ta
Tim

When ever I have bought a new PWC (about 5 now) I have always had a voucher to pay towards the training as this was something the importers said was a good way to promote safe use, me and swmbo have both made use of this. I have also done the events organised by the dealers to raise money for charitys.

£26000 is a hell of a lot for a new one when you can get one for half that here, would explain why I had 2 buyers from abroad desperate to buy my last one when it was for sale

 

[hlb]

When ever I have bought a new PWC (about 5 now) I have always had a voucher to pay towards the training as this was something the importers said was a good way to promote safe use, me and swmbo have both made use of this. I have also done the events organised by the dealers to raise money for charitys.

£26000 is a hell of a lot for a new one when you can get one for half that here, would explain why I had 2 buyers from abroad desperate to buy my last one when it was for sale

Yep, but it's the ones that dont that are the problem and the ones that do, must find it fairly boreing just zooming about in the middle of no where. Hence loads of cheap second hand ones for the idiots.