UK PWC News

UK Personal Watercraft News

4th July : More Talk Needed On Jet Ski Laws, Says SPC.

During Tuesday’s Cultural, Education, Heritage and Corporate Affairs SPC, members decided that more consultation regarding the use of jet skis in Mayo was needed.

The meetings will be held with relevant groups such as the Irish Sailing Association, fishermen and gardaí, following the number of submissions that were received in relation to the proposed draft bye-laws under section 61 of the Maritime Safety Act 2005, which regulates the use of personal water craft, jet skis and recreational water craft.

The SPC also proposed to put forward a proposal at national level to the government making it mandatory that a licence should be required by users in control of any vehicles on the water.

Chair of the SPC, Cllr Paddy McGuinness, said that he was “impressed with the tone and content” of all submissions received and said that considering these submissions was “a real test for the SPC”.

The Fine Gael Cllr said that there is a need for these bye-laws, however, but used the analogy of banning the use of cars so that there would be no more road accidents and said that this could not be viable.

Fine Gael Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said that he now has “serious reservations” about introducing the bye-laws, even though with the introduction there will be zero fatalities; however, this would damage watersport activities in the county, which are a major tourist, business and entertainment attraction.

What the Kilalla-based Cllr suggested was the “safe responsible use” of water craft, which would adhere to a code of practice and to work with associations who use water craft.

The Cllr suggested that initially there should be “self-regulation” with the “onus on the users” to be responsible.

Cllr Munnelly also called for a reccomendation to be nade to the government that a driving licence should be introduced for those using water craft.

SPC members Mr Pat Conway and Mr Tony Diffley concurred that an all-out ban was not the answer, and instead there should be a promotion of safe and enjoyable watersports, with self-regulation being the best answer.

However, Cllr McGuinness asked not to rule out the “safety net” of enforcement if self-regulation does not work.

It was proposed that members request the presence of representatives from the ISA, fishermen and gardaí to attend a special meeting in September to further debate the issue.