Nuisance jet skiers in Sandown Bay and other areas around the Isle of Wight will face tough new laws this Summer season, as new legislation is being introduced to crack down on the dangerous misuse of watercraft.
The new law will come into force on 31st March 2023 – before the busy Summer period – and will enable watercraft users to be prosecuted and bound by the same laws that apply to ships in order to help to prevent accidents.
Watercraft are not currently covered by wider maritime safety legislation but the new law will mean those found guilty of using their watercraft in a dangerous manner could receive an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years in prison.
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.
The move by the Government to crackdown on watercraft follows a boom in the industry during the pandemic with the number, size, power and availability of watercraft like jet skis increasing, and their use in UK waters rising significantly.
Maritime Minister Baroness Vere has said:
“The watercraft industry is thriving and it’s great to see more and more people enjoying leisure activities. However, they must do so safely.
Article continues below this advertisement “That’s why we’re introducing a new law to crack down on any dangerous misuse of watercraft like jet skis. It will give the Maritime and Coastguard Agency greater power to prosecute those responsible for causing accidents or entirely avoidable tragedies.
“We’ll continue working to ensure our country’s coasts and waters are safe for everyone”.
Who are we supposed to report the jet skier to? And how is anyone going to stop them?
Or identify the jet ski or jet skier. Perhaps they need identifying marks like yachts or number plates like vehicles, and need to be registered to an owner/keeper. They are, after all, motorised vehicles.
At last. Such a relief. They’re finally getting on top of those jet ski thugs that continue to terrorise us day in, day out. Now perhaps we can get some peace and quiet as we go about or daily lives.
They are powerful machines, you’d think they should have a bit of training or something?.
Some people love to show off, looking for a busy beach, bombing up and down, jumping off waves, when you see all the little heads bobbing around its a bit concerning.
Ban them unless a mile off shore. Tax them to fund the cost of the non workable policing of any ‘laws’ passed too.
They don’t obey the existing rules, for example to keep out of areas marked by swim buoys – both jet skis and RIBS. Also, CP, what about the rest of the Wight – not just “Sandown Bay” per your headline? Since the development of certain businesses, Colwell and Totland Bay – once very safe family areas – have been beset by show-offs and arrogant people who think they can do what they like with no thought for safety and inconvenience to others.
It’s customers of a cerrtain coastal establishment in West Wight who have precipitated this action. This won’t stop them, or anybody else. Nothing effective will be done until the water is pink with blood.
Another load of BS, how are they going to enforce these laws when thse people cannot be caught less still identified, all jetskis should be made to have large clearly visible identification on them and be registered.
Like I have mentioned in the past, too many people are so selfish, they do not care about anyone but selves. Used to have water skiing area, that went ( health and safety) Used to have the boat that pulled people up with a kite, that went, next I suppose will be any water vessel that can do over 10 mph BANNED…. no banana ride, No doughnut rides… and how long until Kite surfers are banned??? NO WATER SPORTS AT ALL…. then they will ban shore fishing ( beachcasting) and pier fishing… then no fishing within sight of Isle of Wight.. Why not open up schools where they can teach users the proper and safe ways, and teach people to THINK about others. Make certain areas where these can be used.. NO SWIMMERS, SURFERS, BOARDERS area…
Between the Council and the Ferries, this Island is being strangled.. DICTATORSHIP it feels like.. thought we were free people .. Yet anywhere else there are all kinds of water sports.. Are they going to advertise this in the Ads’ Come for a Holiday On the Lovely Isle of Wight, But remember NO WATERSPORTS… The Ferries will tell you when you can cross, And be ready to fork out loads of money for the pleasure !!
Now IF we had a tunnel, those with water sports equipment, could drive off to other parts through the tunnel, and get back same day or that night… not having to fork out a couple of hundred quid, or book a ferry.. !!! FREEDOM
FREEDOM – thats an outdated idea.
Move to Oxford and be told you can’t use your car or go any further than you can stagger in 15 minutes.
Enjoy your freedom on the Isle of Wight for as long as you can, trust me, it will be taken away from you within the next generation.
Ah, the freedom to use the car! Only about 90% of infra belongs to them, most subsidised form of transport out of all, we have plenty of streets with no safe pavements… but yeah, it’s the cars that need more freedom and making “Cities for People” as in Jan Gehl’s book is baaaad XD
“Motornomativity: How Social Norms Hide a Major Public Health Hazard” in action, lol.
Ahhhh, yes, Jan Gehl who is a partner and lackey of the WEF.
I feel so sorry for those that are sleep walking into a world where freedom and democracy are not recognised words.
what has your rant got to do with trying to stop arrogant idiots on jetskis speeding so close to shore they are liable to run ove a swimmer.
Agree we NEED a tunnel
We’ve had a few cases of some idiot’s in Colwell Bay and Totland Bay over the whole of the last season (2022) and we we’re advised to video on your mobile any maneuvers, speeding, dangerous, inconsiderate actions of anyone we would feel we’re of concern. We we’re asked to take the registration number of the seado which is manufacturedly printed on either the front side wings or the rea side wings. The IOW environmental officers are collecting the video evidence and will if felt necessary take legal action against anyone who needs to be prosecuted.
Listen to all of these boomers!!! Jet skis are for fun that’s the whole point. You must be a very sad person if someone else 200+ meters away is affecting your day.
I’ll still be out there with a smile on my face
As usual Jim, the people who hate anyone who does something that they don’t want to do themselves are tarring everyone with the same brush. It happens with motorcyclists too. If you ride a motorcycle or use a jetski you must be a dangerous idiot who never obeys any rules. What these haters don’t understand is that it is very much a minority of users who behave irresponsibly, the majority use their machines perfectly safely. You won’t change their blinkered views though, just like all those that think that all car drivers other than themselves are idiots. They see one ski being used stupidly and suddenly all jetski riders are dangerous fools.
What sort of meters would these be? Water meters, parking meters, electrical meters….or are you an American?
Who is going to Police this? If there are any of these dicks on these jet skis being a pain and endangering life, do we call 999 and ask for the Police or the Coast Guard?
You call none of them! You just go back to your sad boring life
I identify as a jet ski