Warning for PWC users

[Talbot]

From QHM Portsmouth

Dangerous Jet Skis NEWS 12/04


Recently we have had a few complaints about errant Jet Skis manoeuvring at speed extremely close to sailing craft. This activity is very dangeorus and obviously a breach of COLREGS.

Mariners subject to this type of behaviour should report it immediately by VHF 11 to Harbour Control (call sign QHM). Try to remember as many details of the incident as possible and subsequently complete an electronic incident report on this site.

Do not think we can do nothing about this - a court case is being preprared against just such a person right now.

News for the Dockyard Port of Portsm




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[bedouin]

In the context of this it is worth remembering that the Port of Portsmouth covers most of the Eastern Solent, not just the Harbour itself

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[alant]

Are there any minimum age limits for these things? Often see young kids using them at high speed off Sandbanks Poole close to swimmers & yachts.

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[dralex]

Saw a scary programme on Channel 5 last night ( The Gadget Show) about these craft and the new models coming out. The latest top end version sports about 240bhp and will do 0-60mph in about 5 seconds!!!!!!!!! How can machines like this be sold with no regulation- thats faster and more powerful than a lot of motorbikes. Imagine the mess from an impact at that speed. People WILL die.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[moodycruiser]

Thank God somebody in authority is at long last taking this seriously ! Also, had a chat with a very nice chap who has a RIB in our marina, about leaving a long painter when he goes to the public pontoons - he didn't realise how RIB owners get a bad reputation from unthinking practices.
education is the answer for some, and prosecution the answer for others. Hope the PWC guy gets everything he deserves.

<hr width=100% size=1>Tony

 

[Talbot]

models have been available for a long time with speeds in excess of 50 kts, that is more than enough for an inexperienced person to get into a whole heap of problem. The fact that there are now even faster ones will not materially change that, just as faster and faster motorbikes does not lift the number of bike deaths, whereas the increasing numbers of users will of course increase the numbers who have accidents (in both modes of transport). The real problem with these is the total lack of knowledge of watercraft by the vast majority of users.

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[dralex]

I just didn't realize quite how fast they go- I'm just a simple sailing person who thinks a slow jog speed is fast.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[extravert]

Big'uns have 1500cc engines making 150hp, giving over 4kN of thrust. That must make your wrists hurt when they only weigh about 400kg (including 1 rider).

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[Cobra]

Quote "That must make your wrists hurt when they only weigh about 400kg (including 1 rider)."

Just an observation, but most of them I would guess have fairly well developed wrists from other practices!

<hr width=100% size=1>When God invented time he didn't give me enough of it. ND!

 

[gjeffery]

Could PWC be the thin end of the regulation and licensing wedge, and will this knock on to high power craft more generally?

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[Colin_S]

This new model has been radared at around 70mph, out of the box!

215HP supercharged 4 stroke.

Personally, I've got a 130HP ski that's good for 60 and that gets scary on anything other than millpond conditions.

The 'sport' is very much on the increase and I expect it will only be a matter of time before their use becomes regulated in some form or the other as there's already been a few fatalities in this country including one just a couple of weeks back when an up and coming windsurf champion came off one and went missing. He was not wearing a PFD at the time.

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[Colin_S]

Link to news report <A target="_blank" HREF=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/3813633.stm>here</A>

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[KevB]

Or - Any powered craft "more generally"!!

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