The misuse of jet skis in the Lower Thames (Sea Reach), River Medway and Swale has been an ongoing and increasingly dangerous problem for many years. This of course has been a problem not just within the mentioned areas, but everywhere.
During the Covid-19 pandemic many people new to water borne activities purchased personal watercraft (jet skis) for they knew that a summer holiday abroad was an unlikely scenario.
When we were all released after the first lockdown (April-May 2020) to go afloat, the water became at times a night-mare place to be due to ‘virgin’ operators with little or no experience whizzing wherever they minded to without a care for others on the water around then.
I would add that not all operators acted thus and I am sure experienced jet ski operators may well have been eaqually aghast at the antics seen.
Police were called to the Leigh-on-Sea waterfront due to adverse activities on one particular day. My wife and I were ‘cut up’, circled and suffered close passes too – which was written about at the time.
The Times newspaper even picked up on it with an article and a leader column too. The Government said that the Maritime & Coastguard Agency would be looking at the legislation and stated they would act if the regulations (law) required to be changed.
And so they have. Brilliant.
I wonder if Kelly Tolhurst, a Member of Parliament for Rochester & Strood, who was working in the ‘shipping’ Department was involved: she had direct access to The Medway & Swale Boating Association, a powerful lobby group acting for and in the interests of boaters.
There has been a couple of ‘missives’ from the Port of London Authority (PLA) on water safety, the effects of wash and draw-down which was aimed at all craft including merchant vessels in the spirit of co-existence and education.
The PLA have also successfully prosecuted mindless jet ski owners in the last few years. Picture evidence was crucial in this.
From the Marine Industry News web magazine 18 January 2023:
‘The UK is introducing new legislation to crack down on the dangerous misuse of watercraft such as jet skis, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) being granted more powers to prosecute perpetrators of accidents.
The new law will come into force on March 31 2023, before the busy summer period, and will enable watercraft users to be prosecuted and bound by the same laws that apply to ships to help to prevent accidents.
This follows a boom in the watercraft industry during the pandemic, with the number, size, power and availability of watercraft like jet skis increasing, and their use in UK waters rising.
The government says today’s move (18 January 2023) will help ensure the UK continues to have some of the safest waters in the world.’
It should be remembered that personal watercraft were not covered by maritime safety legislation. The new law will mean those found guilty of using their watercraft in a dangerous manner could receive an unlimited fine and even up to two years in prison.
The article went on to say:
‘For those who cause accidents involving loss of life, the new offences could be used to better prosecute perpetrators alongside wider manslaughter charges.
Personal and recreational watercraft will also be bound by the “highway code of the sea” — international regulations which require users to act safely by maintaining a lookout, driving at safe speeds and outlining their responsibilities to other vessels.’
Indeed.
But, beware: the same regulation will surely cover all craft.
Best advice as an ex merchant seafarer: Keep a log, as one is duty bound to do under the current legislation.
This is not a problem just associated with jet skis. RIBs, sailing yachts (usually faster and larger) and motor boats can be a menace too.
We all make mistakes, but there are errors of judgement and plain barmy decisions…
And: Take pictures, etc…
Happy Boating!