A little while ago, before the end of last year (2021) there was much in the media about safety around the coasts and within harbours and rivers. It was the irresponsible behaviour of watercraft owners in particular which was homed in on.
The hiatus caused by irresponsible ‘new’ owners of Personal Watercraft during the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought water safety and regulation of to the notice of the media – even the Times – and more importantly to harbour authorities.
Then, amazingly, it has been found that many authorities do not have any powers of note to deal with irresponsible and dangerous use. So, the DfT opened the subject for debate and what regulation was needed.
I picked up on some of this in a post in December 2021. See below:
The shipping and boating industries online news bulletin carried an article during November of 2021, .
I read of the Royal Yachting Association’s response to a Department of Transport (DfT) consultation paper on whether ‘Recreational watercraft should be subject to same safety obligations that exist for ship operators.’
For clarity, all leisure craft owners are subject to these regulations currently, as some have found to their cost. It is why we should all carry full comprehensive insurance. Most yacht clubs require it. What marinas require I am not aware.
However, it became apparent the Personal Watercraft (PWC) have never been included in the current legislation, making it difficult to ‘nail the blighters’ except in some cases – the Port of London Authority for instance – who have successfully prosecuted PWC owners.
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) whilst broadly in favour of the DfT’s outline changes are wary of the encroachment of over regulation, quote, ‘the possible unintended consequences … could lead to unnecessary regulation across the leisure and recreational boating sector’.
The RYA also believe that the proposed definition of ‘watercraft’ is too broad and needs to be specific.
My thoughts are, why not a list of vessel types perhaps…
I am sure at some point the DfT will push out their finalised proposals to lay before Parliament : it will require a change in the relevant part of the Merchant Shipping Acts!
The problem is not limited to PWC’s for during August 2020 an incident in the Solent was recently passing through the court system.
A RIB being driven around on a ‘Thrills’ trip hit a navigational buoy whilst passing at speed to give the passengers a kick. One of the passengers was killed when the RIB collided with the buoy – I expect it was ‘rolling’ in the tide, something all small craft sailors are aware of when passing close to a buoy.
The RIB was operated, the news item stated, by Seadog RIB Charter Ltd. The driver has been charged with gross negligence…
Food for thought in all that we do afloat.