MP seeks jet ski law because ‘safety’s being undermined’
PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL CALLS FOR LICENSING AND TESTING OF DRIVERS
ANORTH Wales MP hopes to bring in Parliamentary legislation regulating the use of jet skis and making it illegal to operate such vehicles without a licence.
The private members bill follows similar calls from Gwynedd Council and would establish a licensing system for drivers of jet skis, which are currently exempt from normal maritime regulations.
Set to be presented yesterday (Tuesday) but requiring several votes and committee scrutiny before implementation, the private members bill would also bring into law the offence of using a jet ski without the necessary licensing requirements and set a maximum penalty for the offence.
“It’s currently possible for anyone, even a child as young as 12, to drive a jet ski,” said Arfon MP Hywel Williams who has introduced the bill with crossparty support.
“A jet ski driver doesn’t need a licence, unlike in most other EU countries and beyond, which already have a strict licensing system in place.
“As an MP who represents an area well accustomed to the use of jet skis and personal watercraft, especially during the summer months, I feel the safety of other seafarers and beach goers is currently being undermined by the current lack of legislation.”
Last month a full Gwynedd Council meeting unanimously backed calls on the UK Government to treat such personal water vehicles in the same way that motorbikes are governed by road legislation.
Cllr Gareth Thomas, who holds the maritime portfolio, said that complaints of dangerous jet ski use had “increased significantly.”
And despite Gwynedd Council already requiring all powerboats and jet skis launched from the county’s beaches and harbours to be registered, concerns remain that their own enforcement powers are “limited” without tighter government restrictions.
Cllr Thomas’ motion called for every personal watercraft to be insured with every driver given a test on their ability to navigate and manage the vehicle.
“It’s bizarre that there’s really no regulation to control boats capable of travelling at speeds in excess of 40mph by anyone regardless of their age and without the need for training, insurance or a licence at all,” said Cllr Thomas.
“We wouldn’t let our children or grandchildren travel our roads on a motorcycle. But there’s no law in place to prevent a 12-year-old from jumping on the back of these powerful machines and playing on our waters, it makes no sense.”
In an open letter to the Minister for Transport earlier this year, the UK Harbourmasters Association pressed for closing the loophole in the law by clearly defining that a jet ski is recognised as a “ship”.
But according to several councillors in Gwynedd, businesses have been reporting sales of power vehicles to have increased by over 30% this summer, with concerns it could be an even bigger issue next year if foreign travel continues to be problematic.
Mr Williams concluded: “Successive governments have so far failed to take decisive action to legislate on this issue.
“It remains the case that jet skis fall outside maritime legislation, preventing local authorities from responding to concerns with any serious powers.’
“Some local authorities such as Gwynedd have demonstrated that there is cross-party political will to challenge the irresponsible and antisocial use of jet skis when the personal safety of other sea users is put at risk, but without meaningful legislation, their hands are tied.’
“My bill seeks to redress this inconsistency by
bringing in a UK-wide licensing system so that jet ski drivers, much like motorbike drivers, would require a licence before
being allowed the watercraft.”
Other than Plaid Cymru’s three MPs, among the seven members to sign the to operate
proposed motion are Sir Roger Gale and Paul Maynard (Conservative), Geraint Davies (Labour) and Jim Shannon (DUP).