Having a professional maritime background, I knew that when the media picked up on Government attentions being drawn to the activities of the minority, then it would not be long before the associated department, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), acted.
The law of the sea around the coasts of the United Kingdoms has changed – the law will be taken aboard by devolved governments.
I wrote about this during the Covid-19 pandemic, having been troubled by watercraft, and witnessing crass stupidity which resulted in Essex Police being called to the Leigh-on-Sea waterfront by members of the public.
The troubles around the waterways were raised by the Times Newspaper in a leader too. See attached posts etc…
Ditch-crawler has more on safety… | Nick Ardley
The crux of a legal case brought up the terms within the act regarding personal watercraft and whether or not they were constituted ‘a ship’ as we know we all are under the Merchant Shipping Acts, the COLREGS and SOLAS instruments that lie at the heart of ‘the sea’…
Personal Watercraft (PWC) are designated vessels and must comply to same rules as the largest container ship!
This is going to be a shock to many owners of PWC’s where owners can live far inland, have little knowledge of area trailing to, or, more importantly the hierarchy of the sea and those upon it.
So, now the law has been changed by Parliament, it is the job of the MCA to discharge and disseminate.
Harbour authorities or their sub-acolytes Queenborough Harbour(?) in the first instance will be required to act and deal with. Sitting above are the police, and the law – MCA.
Confiscation and fines will be imposed, as they have by some authorities over past few years.
Many will applaud this long overdue action…
I suggest reading through all the links within the MGN684 link. It is interesting reading!