Dangerous jet ski drivers face tough new laws
TOUGH new l aws are to be placed on the use of jet skis following a massive increase in ‘dangerous incidents’ involving the high-powered vehicles.
Plans to regulate the jet-propelled vehicles following a number of incidents involving ‘boy racers’ have been welcomed by the Irish Coast Guard.
Those drivers who fail to register their jet skis could face prosecution under bylaws and hefty fines.
The laws will require each vehicle owner to get a certificate of registration for the craft from the Department of Transport and pay a registration fee.
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is currently drafting the new legislation, his department confirmed.
Chris Reynolds, director of the Irish Coast Guard, welcomed the regulation.
So far this year, the Coast Guard has been called to attend to 20 incidents in the water involving jet skis being driven dangerously. Nine of these incidents took place this month.
‘This is a massive increase – usually we only have two or three cases a year to attend to where jet skis are causing problems on the water. This year it’s 20 already,’ he said. ‘The good weather is one reason for the rise in problems.’
Mr Reynolds said most of the incidents have occurred in Bullock Harbour, in the affluent village of Dalkey in south Dublin, and on Lough Derg in Co. Donegal.
‘A couple of young guys have them and have been taking them down to Bullock Harbour and have been buzzing around on them,’ he said. ‘Most of the incidents are jet skis being used in a dangerous manner. They can kill a swimmer easily and they do not always have good visibility to see swimmers.’
By law, all jet ski owners must be 16 or older, wear a life-jacket and are not permitted to drive them under the influence of alcohol.
A spokesman for Mr Varadkar’s department said: ‘Registration of these craft will protect safe and responsible users while allowing the authorities to identify, regul ate and, where appropriate, penalise those who breach safety and environmental regulations.’
Under the proposed secondary legislation, ‘offending craft would be prosecuted under by-laws, or health and safety legislation, and could face significant fines or bans.
‘The plan is to launch the scheme next year’, the spokesman added.