Yet another jet ski prang!

[Captain_Chaos]

Report in the Daily Telegraph this morning of a 14 year old in hospital with spinal injuries after yet another jet ski accident.

Apparently the 14 year old, who was in command (?) of a jet ski collided with a boat and was knocked into the water, only to be hit by another jet ski which was following him.

It is not clear whether the boat that was hit was moored or moving but without wishing to appear cynical you can almost picture the scene.

I suppose someone will have to kill themselves (or someone else) before the authorities take this problem seriously.

<hr width=100% size=1>My drinking team has sailing problem

 

[emerillon]

How many close misses??

We spent Saturday night on a swinging mooring in the enterance to Langstone harbour - which was akin to being moored in the middle of a jet ski race track.

There are a couple of PWC launch sites, and the harbour master keeps a "presence" on the water until dusk to keep everyone at less than 10 knots. Once the HM knocks off for the night - not unreasonable as it was dark! - all hell broke loose with PWCs & small motor boats screaming up & down the channel.

Terrifying to see an unlit PWC flashing past on a collision course with 3 people rowing an unlit dinghy back to their yacht....



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[Mangusta]

Re: How many close misses??

Something has to be done, they are a modern menace. Because it is the water and open space it appears to be a free for all, but, we as a society don't accept anti social or high risk behaviour in other open areas so why should we when on the water.

Education only has a limited effect.

Control via the authorities (as you mention) is often very ineffective

Self policing/control is obviously out of the question

Legislation and licensing would appear to be the answer, unfortunately policing it will cost the majority as usual.

How do we take this further?

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[Spacewaist]

Slippery slope

Legislation and Licensing will be the start of the slippery slope to yacht licensing..

<hr width=100% size=1>A pontification from the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2003

 

[tome]

Re: Slippery slope

I believe they were secretly invented on the orders of the government in order to drive us into regulation, and free-issued to released vandals on completion of their brief detentions.

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[Shanty]

Re: How many close misses??

Agree entirely that something needs to be done about irresponsible use of PWCs.

However, I disagree with your conclusion that "Legislation and licensing would appear to be the answer".

Legislation is just words on a piece of paper without the support of the majority of those involved, and effective policing of the minority.

Licences are just a revenue raising mechanism, with only very limited safety benefits.

I am firmly convinced that the route to safer use lies through education.

There may be a secondary role for the use of existing powers by harbour authorities in, for example, zoning and setting speed limits. However, unless the majority of PWCers accept and support these measures, they will have only very limited effect - hence the requirement for education.


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[poter]

Re: Conspiract Theory?

Ah.... come on!!!
I don't for one minute believe that our master's would be that devious...would they??

poter

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[pkb]

Re: What\'s so slippery about licensing?

Not all Jet skiers are bad people just as not all yachstmen are considerate gentlemen of the sea. Jet skis can't be uninvented, the BMFI talks excitedly (I seem to recall) about getting more people out on the water and probably so too does the RYA. As for education its a great idea but how do you deliver without some form of licensiing based on passing a test and then we are well down the slippery slope.

Or is it a slippery slope. What in all honesty is wrong with some form of licensing based on qualifications being required. As things currently stand any idiot with enough money can walk on to a boat and set off with no knowledge whatsoever of the sea, tides, weather, navigation, pilotage , buoyage, vhf procedures etc etc.

I am surprised we've gotten away with it for so long. I can see John Humphreys making mincemeat on R4 Today with someone arguing in favour of the current system.

Peter

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[jimi]

Re: What\'s so slippery about licensing?

Totally agree, i'm amazed that there are'nt more lifes lost due to ignorance. Perhaps the everwatchful Coastguard and RNLI are in actual fact more of a nanny state than many realise!

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[Spacewaist]

Re: What\'s so slippery about licensing?

So when you reach (assuming you havent already) age 70, you will be content to submit to an annual medical and competency test?

Theres not much you can do to harm others in a yacht (cf a motor boat). Sure you can kill yourself and your crew but it takes real committment to harm third parties. If Govt were to restrict mayday assistance to registered persons (ie your call is anly responded to if you are "paid up and licensed") (believe me this is coming) then you cant endanger the rescuers and can go about you business without let or hindrance.

I had rather hoped to be allowed to be allowed to get on with my life rather than worry about whether some young whippersnapper of an examiner is going to ban me from driving just because I might not have been "on form" on the day of the test.



<hr width=100% size=1>A pontification from the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2003

 

[peterb]

Legislation

Personally, I'm all in favour of the "educate not legislate" school. But I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't a halfway house. How about a banning order, either for a specific time or until approved training has been undertaken? It's working in other fields.

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[jimi]

Re: What\'s so slippery about licensing?

sure you'll change your view one day when someone has just bought a boat crashes into you at the start of the season keeping you out the water for several months .. it has happened!

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[ccscott49]

Re: What\'s so slippery about licensing?

Somehow I doubt the RNLI will allow the government to control when, where or how they respond to a mayday. It'll be a long time before they get round to introducing anything like this, they cant even ban fox hunting for chissake! As for jetskis, they need to be rescicted to areas where they can only kill each other. It's getting ridiculous, theres aboput four threads on these forae already about this menace.

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[alant]

Re: What\'s so slippery about licensing?

I was at Swanage on Thursday & encountered some jetskis. both going at what for them was a 'slow' speed, but still much too fast through moorings close to a swimming beach.
The point in question in this incident, must surely be the age of the driver. These are extremely powerful machines which should be subject to some legislation regarding use.
A 14 yr old would be unable to drive a motorbike of this engine size, so why a jetski.
Also did anyone find out if they have any insurance cover? Even if only to cover against 3rd party damage to other vessels. Even sailing dinghies have this + 3rd party injury cover.

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[GeorgeP]

Badly driven boats? Not just PWCs

To Studland for the weekend. Brilliant time in the sunshine. Marred mildly by some PWCs, RIBs and planing motorboats racing around. Most people seem to make some attempt to observe the 5 knot speed limit but not all. Some were pulling floats carrying people alongside the anchorage (with all that space why do they have to go there?); some raced up to the anchorage and slowed down once in it. Finally they all went home as it got dark and it was amazing to see how the waves died down. Which made it perfect for ... the water skiers! The one who takes the prize from me this weekend raced with his skier through the anchorage and then back again, both sides of my boat!

I'm sure we all have tales like this one, and I have others. I don't want licensing but I can see it coming. It already exists for commercial and larger boats. Tests for all boats of more than 30 hp or more than 10 knots? I just find these people inconsiderate, thoughtless and selfish. Of course, sailers can be too (look at some racers). But their boats don't go that fast so don't cause so much wash or concern.

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[TonyD]

Re: Badly driven boats? Not just PWCs

Licensing will not stop speeding, or irresponsible use of PWCs, any more than it stops motorists speeding on the roads. Only diligent policing stops this type of behavior. The laws exist. Only the will to police properly (and pay for it!) is lacking.

Funds from licensing will be used to fund the Chancellor's coffers, not to pay for appropriate policing by the harbour authorities and coastguard. Let us not promote futher taxation which, like most such schemes, does not produce the desired result. There is always another way.

TonyD

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[Gunfleet]

Re: Badly driven boats? Not just PWCs

George, I think you need a catapult and some kelp!

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[ccscott49]

Re: Badly driven boats? Not just PWCs

Theres always another way........belt fed shotgun??

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[Samphire]

Re: Jet skier killed

A timely warning indeed.A 15 year old driving a jet ski was killed when in collision
with another boat in Youghal harbour near Waterford yesterday (11/08/03).It certainly illustrates the danger as if we didn't all already know.
Samphire

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[Trevethan]

Re: What\'s so slippery about licensing?

I agree with compulsory insurance for all boats with an engine, or over 7 or 8 feet in length.

As well as third party damage, injury and wreck removal, it should also/contribute to rescue costs... that way the RNLI gets a funding boost if they can claim something back of an insurer.

Personally I don't want to see too much regulation but compulsory insurance along with immediate confiscation of the vessel until valid insurance documents are produced seems like a reasonable approach that all sensible boat owners would approve.

As for enforcement, that could fall on water police checking vessels afloat, roadside stops for those towing, as well as harbour authorities/marinas etc etc etc.

The problem with licences along the lines of road tax is that govt will demand money - maybe £25 or £50 per annum to startn that will rise as Mr Brown realises there are another bunch of of people out there that can be bled even more.

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