PWC/Jetski...isn't there an equivalent of driving license-disqualification?

[Greenheart]

A mate of mine in Southampton today filmed two PWC/jetskis, on the upper reaches of the tidal Itchen, each nudging forty knots by his estimation. The faster of the two was carrying an infant on the seat ahead of him.

I couldn't advise my pal who he might show the footage to - because I don't know if such recklessness is taken seriously as an offence. They were moving at around six times the speed limit in that area. As for taking the kiddie for a 'joy-ride'...it might have been his last.

Do river-police/harbour-masters give a damn, or are PWC users immune from serious censure?

 

[Searush]

Is there anyway of identifying them? Did anyone get a car reg no?

Report them to the relevant HM & he will act on the speeding issue (& fines can be mahoosive) but only if they can be identified.

And please stop the "can they be disqualified" nonsense, it could lead to heaps of unnecessary costs & troubles for the rest of us. Be VERY careful what you wish for.

 

[Greenheart]

Agreed, quite enough laws already...although PWC users seem to be a quite different, exaggeratedly offensive species of the stupid kind...and the law might reasonably judge their insensitivity as singularly deserving of penalties.

I was thinking it might have been generally assumed and accepted that, as PWC-owners, they naturally don't have the sense not to break laws, hence they're treated more liberally...in the same way dogs can't be expected to find out-of-the-way places to defecate.

 

[xyachtdave]

PWC/Jetski...isn't there an equivalent of driving license-disqualification?

Judging by what I've seen recently, a peanut sized brain, a shaven head, no regard for anyone but yourself and some tattoos should get you suitably qualified for a jet ski.

(Apologies to the sensible pilots amongst them.....if you exist.....not seen one for myself, but I'm told they're out there!)

 

[Fire99]

Is there anyway of identifying them? Did anyone get a car reg no?

Report them to the relevant HM & he will act on the speeding issue (& fines can be mahoosive) but only if they can be identified.

And please stop the "can they be disqualified" nonsense, it could lead to heaps of unnecessary costs & troubles for the rest of us. Be VERY careful what you wish for.

Amen to that!

 

[l'escargot]

Agreed, quite enough laws already...although PWC users seem to be a quite different, exaggeratedly offensive species of the stupid kind...and the law might reasonably judge their insensitivity as singularly deserving of penalties.

I was thinking it might have been generally assumed and accepted that, as PWC-owners, they naturally don't have the sense not to break laws, hence they're treated more liberally...in the same way dogs can't be expected to find out-of-the-way places to defecate.

Jetskis are probably more regulated than any other area of boating already.

They all display a registration number on purchase and many slipways require users to evidence of insurance and the possession of a PWC Certificate of Proficiency before they are allowed to launch.

OK, there is not a lot of enforcement and it doesn't stop people launching from unmonitored places but regulation is in place and it is easier to step it up than introduce it - and not a much bigger step to spread it further to include other craft.

Can you imagine the outcry if all boatowners were required to have a qualification, insurance and a big registration number on the side of the boat before they could use it?

 

[rbcoomer]

HM I'd think?

There must be some powers with the HMs as many areas have a registration scheme for PWC. This is likely to be limited to use of any controlled areas and facilities. I tend to launch our Fletcher at Teignmouth and the PWC registration scheme has been extended to include all small powered craft there. I'm not certain the scheme is mandatory, but at £10 for a year, I've no problem signing up and see it generally as a good thing. I'd be very nervous of endorsing if it were to evolve into a national licensing scheme requiring anything similar to DVLA etc however as I see that as regressive and unnecessary. Accountability is one thing, but yet another excuse for HM Government to fleece the population gets a VERY definitive thumbs down from me!

PWC are clearly an issue in many areas and even on the Teign, often seem to openly abuse speed/wake guidelines. The HM could probably ban them from facilities/harbour limits, but some education from police/coastguard might be more appropriate?

 

[epervier]

Jetskis are probably more regulated than any other area of boating already.

They all display a registration number on purchase and many slipways require users to evidence of insurance and the possession of a PWC Certificate of Proficiency before they are allowed to launch.

OK, there is not a lot of enforcement and it doesn't stop people launching from unmonitored places but regulation is in place and it is easier to step it up than introduce it - and not a much bigger step to spread it further to include other craft.

Can you imagine the outcry if all boatowners were required to have a qualification, insurance and a big registration number on the side of the boat before they could use it?

Can't say that I've ever seen a registration number on a PWC, What I can say, I've seen some reckless handling of these very powerful machines, including small people carried in the front of the pilot without lj's, but again where do you want to go with this? they are no different to the rest of us just trying to enjoy the hobby of being on the water. I dare say when someone gets killed legislation will not be far away for everyone.

 

[Portofino]

Can you imagine the outcry if all boatowners were required to have a qualification, insurance and a big registration number on the side of the boat before they could use it?[/QUOTE]

They do in France , and enforce it.
" permit du Mer " inc PwC,s
It's popular in SoF , seems safe they keep themselves to themselves .

 

[l'escargot]

Can't say that I've ever seen a registration number on a PWC...

Been around a few years now, like this:

http://www.pwpulse.co.uk/page11.htm

Mainly seen as an anti theft system at the moment but is also used to identify jetskis/owners.

 

[Portofino]

I,can see all sides, I think - had an early Seadoo 92 yup 20 y ago went all over with it ,Windermere , Bridlinton , N Norfolk , and mainly N Wales ( Searush)
Even did a "raid Bleu" in 94 .
That's a race fron Marseille to St Trop
It could pull a skier too
At the same time had a rag + stick in Hull
Now MoBo in the Med
Live and let live , room for all water sports and as mentioned steeraway from any legislation , why poke a stick at a Bear.

 

[Greenheart]

I accept that we absolutely, positively don't want any more restriction or scrutiny than is already required/applied...

...what a pity PWC riders themselves can't be encouraged to take care of the relative freedom we all still currently enjoy.

 

[epervier]

Can you imagine the outcry if all boatowners were required to have a qualification, insurance and a big registration number on the side of the boat before they could use it?

They do in France , and enforce it.
" permit du Mer " inc PwC,s
It's popular in SoF , seems safe they keep themselves to themselves .[/QUOTE]

Where my boat is kept, motor boats must have 3mill third party as minimum, a polite notice asks to keep to 4 kts within 100mtrs of the shore line,and it's written into the contract users sign under T's&C's, but I've never been asked to show my policy, while apathy exists things won't change.

 

[epervier]

Been around a few years now, like this:

http://www.pwpulse.co.uk/page11.htm

Mainly seen as an anti theft system at the moment but is also used to identify jetskis/owners.

Thanks for that Mark, I'll take a closer look next time, or get me arse down to specsavers.

 

[chanelyacht]

Registration schemes are usually local council run and area specific, there isn't (sadly) a national one.

In the case the OP quotes, drop a note to Southampton harbourmaster, (southamptonvts@abports.co.uk) I'm sure they will be interested as they have achieved a few convictions in the past.

On a personla level, it really is about time the UK brought in registration for all craft, we spend too long faffing around trying to trace owners...

 

[Greenheart]

Registration schemes are usually local council run and area specific, there isn't (sadly) a national one.

In the case the OP quotes, drop a note to Southampton harbourmaster, (southamptonvts@abports.co.uk) I'm sure they will be interested as they have achieved a few convictions in the past.

On a personla level, it really is about time the UK brought in registration for all craft, we spend too long faffing around trying to trace owners...

Not sure I agree with that...I'm definitely opposed to governmental intervention, other than straightforward prevention of outrageous disregard for laws set up in the interests of safety.

Live and let live, room for all water sports and as mentioned steeraway from any legislation...

But if PWC-riders are making other sailors' time in constricted waters noticeably less safe or less pleasant, then saying live and let live is a weak outlook. The worst examples of these people don't give a rat's ass about the peace which most of us enjoy in inshore waters...their choice of machinery exactly reflects their preference for noisy thrill-seeking and risk-juggling. Live and let live? Cue McCartney...♫

 

[robertj]

Registration schemes are usually local council run and area specific, there isn't (sadly) a national one.

In the case the OP quotes, drop a note to Southampton harbourmaster, (southamptonvts@abports.co.uk) I'm sure they will be interested as they have achieved a few convictions in the past.

On a personla level, it really is about time the UK brought in registration for all craft,

we spend too long faffing around trying to trace owners...

Hopefully there will never be a national registration scheme and keep boating free for all with no more legislation/tax/fines

 

[epervier]

Registration schemes are usually local council run and area specific, there isn't (sadly) a national one.

In the case the OP quotes, drop a note to Southampton harbourmaster, (southamptonvts@abports.co.uk) I'm sure they will be interested as they have achieved a few convictions in the past.

On a personla level, it really is about time the UK brought in registration for all craft, we spend too long faffing around trying to trace owners...

Do we not have a system already in place? my craft is MCA part1 registered, it's also with CG66. OK they are not mandatory, but the system is in place.

 

[Portofino]

The number is to help insures recover it , it will have a " chip" embedded some where like your pet dog.
I think its voluntary, but most launch sites insist on sight of insurance before launch
Once in 94 we took it down to Golfe Juan ( SoF) , I went round to to Capitinarie to flash the Ins prior to launch . Got the Ok .Off I went as wife sat on marina jetty tucking into a good book.
1/2 hour later she saw a gun/ patrol boat towing empty Seadoo in
I was inside down below filling in the paperwork € 200 fine for speeding
When you have stopped laughing ---
I should have known as near the Lerins island where I was bombing around , loads of divers were coming up and waving , I thought they were just being friendly
Safety- mine had a mere 50 hp ( now up to 150 ) @ 40- 45 mph if I came off it was like hitting concrete HARD ,I wore what appeared like a flak jacket really it acted like an impact vest x life jacket
On a couple of occasions I actually concussed knock myself out on the water .
These children sat in front going radars speed of 70 mph up - well you can imagine ------- crash ----
I think back then I had 3 M £ third party ins

 

[Searush]

Registration schemes are usually local council run and area specific, there isn't (sadly) a national one.

In the case the OP quotes, drop a note to Southampton harbourmaster, (southamptonvts@abports.co.uk) I'm sure they will be interested as they have achieved a few convictions in the past.

On a personla level, it really is about time the UK brought in registration for all craft, we spend too long faffing around trying to trace owners...

Shame you can't encourage more people to sign up to CG66 like I have - well, at least for the Big Boat, if not all the dinks & kayaks.