The 'infection' has spread to here ... Jetski's

[Sea Change]

At least here you have to have a licence for a jetski and the PWC has to be registered, so anti social behaviour can be tracked back to the offender, mind you you can use a 15m boat that can do less than 20km/h without a licence, but the boat still has to be registered.

We are timed between lock gates here, or if you have AIS then that is used to monitor your speed, hefty fines have been incurred by some. Our boat is limited by the wash she makes not the speed of the canal, which varies

I find it funny that our local waterways representative is the the one that gets stopped by the water police almost every time he goes out, rest of us just get a wave as they drive past

AIS is compulsory on a commercial ship on our inland waterways, however a good number seem to have them switched off when traveling along the canals where they can put the speed up a bit...

The govt. here is bringing in more regulation and making AIS + VHF the optimal way for traveling the canals.
From 1st Jan 2026 for pleasure boats you will have to use either AIS + VHF or the new Waterways App which is getting released on 1st Jan, which will then become compulsory on 1st April 2026 to use the locks and bridges. Had an email from the Waterways about it last week.

Where are you?

 

[Seastoke]

Where are you?

I am over here.

 

[Sailing steve]

I guess any hobby popular with scaffolders lit up on cocaine could be problematic.

You've been sailing around Brightlingsea and up the Blackwater haven't you...

 

[Alicatt]

Where are you?

Yoo Hoo over here
Most of the time in Belgium, some time in Scotland, and then again in The Netherlands, but mostly Limburg in Belgium and sail from the Kanaal naar Beverlo

Home Marina:

 

[Bouba]

I know a guy who got so fed up with Jetskis and various annoying PWC - that he took action ... I strongly recc'd not to do same ... but he reckoned he'd reported so often and nothing had been done ....

Short lengths of rope in the water 'placed strategically' when the PWC's were active.

I think that is an extremely scummy thing to do....wrecking people’s boats because he doesn’t approve.....there are many boaters and genres of craft who may not reach my level of approval.....but to sabotage them is the lowest of the low.

 

[Bouba]

I am over here.

You know I organized a search party....there were dogs and people with pointy sticks looking for you

 

[Refueler]

I think that is an extremely scummy thing to do....wrecking people’s boats because he doesn’t approve.....there are many boaters and genres of craft who may not reach my level of approval.....but to sabotage them is the lowest of the low.

I agree that its extreme and probably could, if he was identified as purposely doing it - lead to prosecution for damages to the Jet Ski.

But I also can understand his frustration .. this was not after just a few incidents ... this was after frequent serious incidents, which nothing had been done by authorities sufficiently to curb it.

 

[Bouba]

I agree that its extreme and probably could, if he was identified as purposely doing it - lead to prosecution for damages to the Jet Ski.

But I also can understand his frustration .. this was not after just a few incidents ... this was after frequent serious incidents, which nothing had been done by authorities sufficiently to curb it.

We are all boaters...and we think as we merrily make our way down the waterway...all the world is watching and admiring us. Truth is that some will look at us in outrage...whether they are anarchists, socialists, environmentalists or yachties...anyone could take inspiration from your acquaintance....he has zero justification

 

[xyachtdave]

^

I don’t think our local volunteer harbourmaster that was threatened, assaulted and had to be rescued by the lifeboat after they deliberately flooded his boat would agree with the live and let live approach to nuisance JetSki use.

Anyone local to the Medway should take a look at this -

https://kep.uk.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/commodoreshardthestrand

 

[Refueler]

We are all boaters...and we think as we merrily make our way down the waterway...all the world is watching and admiring us. Truth is that some will look at us in outrage...whether they are anarchists, socialists, environmentalists or yachties...anyone could take inspiration from your acquaintance....he has zero justification

Having been the recipient of bad mouthed Jet Skier tirade - I can honestly say that at that time - I could easily have thrown a ropes end in !!

Have you had encounter similar as I described earlier ? Jetski glancing up against your boats side ... deluging over cabin top - into cabin ... wife hanging on to boom as it swung out ?

Why have so many areas banned or seriously limited them ?

Yes we all want to enjoy the waters ... not the word ENJOY ...

 

[Bouba]

Having been the recipient of bad mouthed Jet Skier tirade - I can honestly say that at that time - I could easily have thrown a ropes end in !!

Have you had encounter similar as I described earlier ? Jetski glancing up against your boats side ... deluging over cabin top - into cabin ... wife hanging on to boom as it swung out ?

Why have so many areas banned or seriously limited them ?

Yes we all want to enjoy the waters ... not the word ENJOY ...

Let’s look at this logically.....these jet skiers are referred to as reckless....want group of people would you not want to piss off with amateur vigilantism ?.....the reckless

 

[Ian_Edwards]

This is a photo taken from:
Seabreeze.co..au
It's a jetski, which was wave jumping, in the surf, a prohibited area, set aside for surfers luckily the jetski hit the board not the man, but he was catapulted into the air. He wasn't hurt, but very badly shacken.
The jetski didn't stop.
This could easily have been a fatality.
Whilst acknowledging that not all jetski operators are badly behaved. There does seem to be a significant minority who think the that rules, any rule, don't apply to them.
I have photos of jetskis traveling at full speed in a 4knot zone, and video of a jetski spinning more or less out of control in a bathing area until he fell off.
I've also "rescued" a jetski which had run out of fuel, drifting offshore. I manovered alongside and pass him a 5L can of petrol. He filled up and zoomed of without trying to return the can.
So what do you do to stop this antisocial behaviour?
The coastguard and harbour authorities are not equipped to deal with high speed potentially dangerous craft.
My view is that all jetski operators should have to pass a stringent test before they can be licenced to drive a jetski.
Jetskis should have to carry an AIS class B, ie one that transmits it speed and position.
And that insurance companies should refuse to insure a Jetski unless the owner and any other operator of the craft is suitably qualified.
Jetski insurance should be mandatory. ie it should be illegal to drive a jetski without a licence and insurance.

 

[Bouba]

Jetskis are also used by surfers to be towed out to the big waves....and by lifeguards to rescue swimmers in trouble

 

[Sea Change]

Not just a menace to others:
www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70zl054048o.amp

 

[Wansworth]

If water users were respectful of other water users there would be no trouble .probably one of the problems with jet skis is they are super boring just toddling g along cannot even read a book or brew a up of tea ,by there very nature if you have one you have to whizz about,I defy even Boubanot to whizz about off SanTropez hoping to catch the eye of Bridget ,it’s human nature.There should be by laws restricting jet skies to 100 miles offshore

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Jetskis are also used by surfers to be towed out to the big waves....and by lifeguards to rescue swimmers in trouble

I have absolutely no problem with that, or jetskis being used sensibly and within the rules.
It's a bit cars on the public road, we all have to have driving licenses, pass tests and have insurance, we also have obey the rules of the road. And although it's far from perfect, it does keep most people safe most of the time.
Most cars will easily exceed all the UK speed limits, some by a factor of two or more. Yet they are legally constrained to keep within the law.
A powerful jetski is as least as fast and dangerous as any car on the road. They don't have brakes, crumple zones, airbags and seat belts. They need to be regulated in a similar way to cars.

 

[[194497]]

I lost all patience with jetskis after watching two of them spend an hour zooming up and down parallel to the beach at Newport (Pembs) about twenty metres offshore, in water not much deeper than chest height, which is expressly forbidden by local bylaws. Parents were pulling their kids to safety out of the water, screaming and gesticulating, but the two idiot drivers ignored them.
I agree with the above - strict licencing conditions, mandatory AIS, and fines and punishments similar to those applicable to drivers.
Jetskis are certainly more dangerous and much more widely abused than unlimited electric bikes, and they're banned outright.

 

[Bouba]

I encounter many jetskis in my boating....most come to play in my wake....when they see that I barely ever go over hull speed they leave disappointed....when they are maneuvering in front (and often in packs going in every direction at once) I can’t take any avoidance actions because I’m too slow....so I rely on keeping a steady course that way at least I’m predictable and they can maneuver around me....these things can go at 50 mph and turn on a dime.
But...the real pain is the yacht who literally don’t look where they are going because they don’t care....or worse, when they think they own the sea because they are racing.....hold the bloody race out to sea and I will leave you alone...but don’t lay out your course in front of the harbor entrance and not expect me not to cross !

 

[Refueler]

In Latvia - the CSDD (Road Traffic Inspection and Licencing Dept) are responsible for administering the legal reqt for Jetski operators to obtain Licence.
Unfortunately - the Licence is not a practical test as in driving a motor car. It is taken online or in the CSDD centre....

Quote:>

To operate a Jet Ski in Latvia, you'll need a recreational vessel license, also known as a boat license. This requires passing a test administered by the Latvian Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), which can be done by contacting their customer service center, using their online platform (e-CSDD), or calling their customer service line. You'll also need to provide an identity document and a medical certificate for drivers of vehicles.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Obtain a Recreational Vessel License:

• Register for the test: Contact CSDD to register for the recreational vessel license test.
  
  
• Prepare for the test: Review the relevant regulations and study materials related to operating pleasure crafts.
  
  
• Take the test: Pass the theoretical and practical exams administered by CSDD.
  
  
• Gather required documents: This includes an identity document (passport, ID card, driving license, or recreational vessel license) and a medical certificate for drivers.

Driving licence for a vessel​

1. General information and Test
2. Training procedure
3. Payments

---

General information and Test​

To obtain a license for driving motorized recreational vessel, the length of which does not exceed 12 meters, in the inland waters of Latvia, a theoretical test must be passed in CSDD. The testing and assessment is conducted in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 619 of 4 September 2012 " Regulations on Training, Certification and Registration of Recreational Vessel Drivers ".

The test is computer-based, has 20 questions, and the time allowed for answering is 20 minutes. The test is passed if no more than 2 errors are made. The license is issued on the same day as the CSDD test.

Pre-registration for the test is mandatory. You can apply for the test:

• by contacting the CSDD customer service center.
• e-CSDD;
• by phone 67025777

Necessary documents:

• identity document - passport, personal identification (ID) card, driving license, driving license of a recreational vessel or small vessel, driving permit;
• health examination for drivers of vehicles (medical statement). The person can check its validity in the e-CSDD or on-site at the CSDD. The health examination may be performed at a family doctor or with medical commissions established in medical institutions;
• In case to order retest, additional documents not needed to be submitted, but the payment must make before the test.

When applying for the exam by phone or e-CSDD, the above documents must be presented 30 minutes before the exam. Please inform us of your absence no later than the one working day before. You can cancel the test by calling, visiting the CSDD customer service centre in person or using e-CSDD. If you do not cancel the test and do not attend, it must be paid in full.

Unquote.

It sounds good - but in fact its so basic and does nothing to get the person to act sensibly. Plus the fact that there are unsufficient patrols to check whether operators are licenced.

It is common to see kids driving them - despite that in Latvia there is a minimum age reqt ..>

Quote >>
In Latvia, there is no minimum age to take the exam for a Small Boating License. However, you cannot receive the actual license until you are 18 years old. If you pass the exam before turning 18, you will receive a result letter, but it is not a valid license to operate a boat. You can exchange this letter for the license at the age of 18.

In summary:

• No minimum age to take the exam.
• Minimum age to receive the license and operate a boat: 18 years old.
• Those under 18 receive a result letter instead of a license.

Unquote .

 

[ylop]

The coast guard and harbour authorities and not equipped to deal with high speed potentially dangerous craft.

If your suggestions of compulsory licensing and insurance were to be enforced the CG and HMs would need to be able to deal with high speed craft to police it! All water users would need to pay for this benefit.

My view is that all jetski operators should have to pass a stringent test before they can be licenced to drive a jetski.

Jetski insurance should be mandatory. ie it should be illegal to drive a jetski without a licence and insurance.

Why just jetski? Why not ski boats, ribs, planing sail boats, etc.

They aren’t risk free but statistically they don’t cause a lot of deaths.

It's a bit cars on the public road, we all have to have driving licenses, pass tests and have insurance, we also have obey the rules of the road. And although it's far from perfect, it does keep most people safe most of the time.

But actually far more deaths on the roads and generally much worse driving than at sea. Who pays for the policing? The already responsible law abiding citizen who ends up taxed in some way.