| 18th
August : DTI appoints RYA to RCD Notified Body Status. |
| The Department
of Trade and Industry has confirmed the appointment of the Royal
Yachting Association as a Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) Notified
Body for the UK.
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Authorised to assess
recreational craft to the requirements of the amended RCD, the RYA
will now complete the verification process and issue CE certificates.
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Previously working as a UK
assessment agent, the RYA is now able to carry out all RCD assessment
work and, if appropriate, issue CE certificates enabling new and
imported recreational boats to be sold in the EU.
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Ken Kershaw, RYA Technical
Manager, states that gaining RCD notified body status will deliver
many benefits to the boating community:
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“As the prime UK Notified
Body for the EU, we are keen to offer the best possible route to RCD
compliance.
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Our facility is
structured to ensure that UK boat builders and their customers benefit
from simple, inexpensive, assessment which keeps the additional costs
imposed by the RCD to an absolute minimum”
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The RCD ensures that the
design and manufacture of recreational craft confirm to an agreed
level of safety throughout the European Union.
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All recreational boats
between 2.5m and 24m in length, with few exceptions, which are placed
on the market or imported into the EU for the first time must comply
with the essential requirements of the RCD and be CE marked to show
this compliance.
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The same requirements also
apply to home built boats which are placed on the market within five
years of completion. The Directive, which becomes mandatory on 1
January 2006 was amended at the beginning of this year, and now
incorporates personal watercraft, engine emissions and choices of
assessment, including post construction assessment.
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The official notification
process has taken six months of hard work, as Ken Kershaw explains:
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“To achieve Notified Body
status, the RYA has to comply with criteria, set by the DTI which uses
the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to screen suitability.
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UKAS, working with the ISO
17020 quality system, checked internal systems here at RYA
Headquarters as well as our work out on boat builder sites.
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The DTI then ‘notified’
the EU of the appointment and we received our Notification.
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Gaining Notified Body status is
a major achievement for the RYA, which enables us to operate in areas
of technical competence - arguably at the same level as the
approval departments of Lloyds Register and other classification
societies.”
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For further details of this
service, please contact technical@rya.org.uk
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www.rya.org.uk
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| 17th
August : Jetski
Champion Zooms Into
Cleethorpes. |
| This
weekend, visitors to Cleethorpes and jet ski fans are in for a real
treat when the resort hosts its first Freestyle Jetski event.
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Thrill-seekers
will not be disappointed by this freestyle extravaganza, which
includes the cream of British jetski talent.
Local man, Luke Stocks.
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The
British Jet Ski Champion will bring his colleagues 'The Pierats' to
perform some breathtaking tricks and stunts on the water.
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The
event will take place on the North Promenade from 7pm on both Saturday
20 and Sunday 21 August.
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Luke
Stocks, British jetski Champion, said: "The event is a good
opportunity to showcase our tricks and techniques whilst riding Yamaha
Superjet skis. I am delighted to be able to performing in my home
town."
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Councillor
Geoff Lowis, portfolio holder for regeneration and tourism, added:
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"This
should prove to be an exciting new event on the North Promenade.
We hope the crowds will come along and give Luke and the
Pierats Team support as they do their tricks on the water!"
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www.nelincs.gov.uk
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| 10th
August : British Boy
Fined Over Jetski Death. |
| A British
schoolboy was today fined more than £2,000 by a court in Cyprus after
admitting causing the death of his girlfriend in a holiday jet ski
accident.
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James Dudley, 16, was on a
jet ski when it struck Hannah Sutton, also 16, at the resort of
Pissouri on August 2.
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Hannah, who went to the same
school as James in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, died from her injuries in
hospital.
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Today, James was fined £1,508
at Limassol district court after he admitted one charge under Cyprus
law of causing death through want of precaution through recklessness
or criminal damage.
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He was also fined £503
after admitting two more minor charges relating to driving a jet ski
without a licence.
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From www.guardian.co.uk
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| 9th
August : Schoolboy Admits Jetski Death. |
| A British
schoolboy has admitted causing the death of his girlfriend in a
holiday jet-ski accident in Cyprus.
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James Dudley, 16, was riding
the jet-ski when it struck Hannah Sutton, 16, at the resort of
Pissouri last Tuesday.
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He pleaded guilty at Limassol
District Court to causing death through want of precaution through
recklessness or negligence, a charge that carries a maximum sentence
of four years. He will be sentenced tomorrow.
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James, from Colwyn Bay, North
Wales, also admitted charges relating to illegally driving a jet-ski
without a licence and not completing the required forms.
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Hannah's parents, Lynne and
Stephen, of Dunham Massey, Cheshire, have said they did not blame
James, and were angry that he was arrested and immediately held in
custody. They said the accident would never have happened if the
Cyprus authorities had enforced the law properly. The legal age for
hiring jet-skis is 18.
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The jet-ski firm's owners
will appear in court in October.
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From news.telegraph.co.uk
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| 9th
August : Call For Tay Police Patrols. |
| The president
of a Broughty Ferry jet ski club has called on the Scottish Executive
to fund a marine police unit to patrol the Tay to ensure its waters
are kept safe for all to enjoy, writes Stefan Morkis.
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John Stuart has also called
for a national register of watercraft, which he said would also help
reduce the kind of irresponsible behaviour that could put lives at
risk.
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Tayside Police said they
would strictly enforce port authority by-laws when jet skiers or
speedboat users were flagrantly flouting them.
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Last month, Broughty Ferry
Community Council warned that the dangerous actions of some jet skiers
were an accident waiting to happen.
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They were particularly
concerned about jet skiers using their craft in non-designated areas.
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Tayjet Personal Watercraft
Club, based within the Royal Tay Yacht Club, demands that its members
use the water responsibly but it is feared there are non-affiliated
“rogue” jet skiers who are travelling to use the Tay.
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It is understood some travel
from the west of Scotland after restrictions were placed on the use of
jet skis on Loch Lomond earlier this summer.
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Mr Stuart said Tayjet worked
closely with Dundee City Council and other regulatory bodies to ensure
their members used the water safely but said it was not just jet
skiers who should take the blame for all dangerous behaviour on the
water.
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He said, “There are rogue
jet skiers who are not members of Tayjet and who are not adhering to
the coastal by-laws or local rules.
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“This is usually through
ignorance rather than malice and we would encourage them to join our
club to obtain proper training and information.”
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He added that the club’s
members were all responsible users of the Tay and that each jet ski
now had the club’s name printed on it — so they were easily
identifiable.
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However, Mr Stuart said it
was vital steps are taken to ensure everyone uses the water
responsibility.
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He said, “The larger
problem is in identifying reckless water users of both boats and
personal watercraft and until the Scottish Parliament brings in a
national watercraft register, the problem will continue. As a club we
welcome the tough stance the police are taking on reckless water users
but again reiterate it must be on all water users.
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“We look forward to the
council’s introduction of barriers at the River Tay launching points
and the possibility of a registration scheme as proposed by us and the
port authorities at the quarterly leisure group meetings.
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“We are also aware that the
Scottish Executive are aware of the problems and urge them to finance
a marine police unit to patrol the Tay, as is done on many waterways
throughout the UK.”
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Mr Stuart urged any new jet
skiers to join the club, which has an open membership policy, and take
advantage of the training they offer.
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Their website can be visited
at www.tayjet.com
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From www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk
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| 5th
August : Personal Watercraft Rider Sentenced. |
| At a hearing
today at Bournemouth Crown Court, Mr Mark Goodwin of Osmington,near
Weymouth was sentenced to a 6 month custodial sentence after he
pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to riding his Yamaha Wave Runner
in contravention of Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
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This prosecution followed a
joint investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Dorset
Police Marine Section into a collision on Saturday 15 May 2004 off of
Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth during which the rider of another Personal
Watercraft, Mr Paul Facer, sustained serious head injuries.
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On Saturday 15 May 2004, Mark
Goodwin was riding his 3 seater Yamaha Wave Runner personal watercraft
at Bowleaze cove. There were several other similar craft in the area
including the one being ridden by Mr Paul Facer. At approximately
1710, Mr Facer had stopped his vessel on the western side of the
designated area and was watching some of the others craft. Mark
Goodwin was in a similar area and accelerated his craft without
clearly looking where he was going. He collided at speed with the
starboard bow of Mr Facer’s craft and rode upwards hitting Mr Facer
in the head. Mr Facer suffered severe head injuries and was
hospitalised for several days. He still suffers from the long term
effects of his injuries and has no intention of going on these types
of craft ever again.
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Mr Goodwin pleaded guilty to
the offence of operating his vessel in a manner which caused or was
likely to cause serious injury to Paul Alan Facer.
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In sentencing, His Honour
Judge Beashel said,
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“Mr Goodwin was not taking
proper care, he was responsible and the collision could have been
avoided.
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Jet skiers should be aware
that jet skis are a potential lethal weapon and should keep a good
look out at all times.”
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And went on to comment that,
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“It was important to set a
sentence to act as a deterrent to deter others that may be driving in
an irresponsible manner.”
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Mr Mark Rodaway, Coastguard
Area Operations Manager said ”This punishment should act as a timely
warning to all Personal Watercraft users that, irresponsible and
dangerous behaviour will be investigated by the authorities and the
perpetrators may well find themselves standing in front of a judge.”
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The Maritime & Coastguard
Agency
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| 4th
August : Fatal Water Crash Youth
Released. |
| A British
teenager has been released from custody in Cyprus after being held
over the death of his girlfriend in a holiday jet water-bike accident.
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James Dudley, 17, of north
Wales, lost control of his machine and crashed into the one ridden by
his girlfriend.
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Hannah Sutton, 16, of
Alderley Edge, Cheshire, died from her injuries.
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James, from Colwyn Bay, was
arrested on Wednesday and held overnight, but a judge decided he could
go free on Thursday. He could still face charges.
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The accident happened in
Pissouri on Tuesday.
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Police are continuing their
investigations and the teenager was told by a judge at Limassol
District Court not to leave the island.
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Two Cypriot men, aged 29 and
45, who run a jet water-bike hire firm, were also released after being
arrested.
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Police will decide in the
next week whether the teenager will have to appear in court again if
they decide to prosecute.
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The two Cypriots face
allegations they allowed the teenagers to hire the water bikes even
though they are not old enough - 18 is the minimum age in Cypriot law.
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All three could go on trial
for criminal negligence. The judge agreed to release the three despite
the police application to keep them in custody.
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It still means all three can
be rearrested if police decide to prosecute.
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James travelled to Cyprus
last Sunday to be with his girlfriend Hannah, whose mother Lynn is a
teacher at St John's middle school in Episkopi, a school for the
children of British servicemen serving on the island.
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'Utterly bewildered'
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The two teenagers were both
pupils at the private Rydal Penrhos school in Colwyn Bay, where Hannah
was a boarder pupil.
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James's mother Janette, 49,
and father Paul, 52, run a refrigeration firm in North Wales.
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Hannah's parents are
estranged, but her father Stephen Sutton and her brothers William, 11,
and Daniel, 14, have travelled out to Cyprus.
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Rhys Williams, 40, James's
uncle, who was in court said: "The boy is in such a state. He is
utterly, utterly bewildered.
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"He is in another
country and seen his girlfriend die. The two hadn't been together that
long, they were just two teenagers in the first thrills of a young
relationship.
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"They had been looking
forward to being together and spending some time in the sun."
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From BBC
News
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| 3rd
August : Youth Faces Quiz On
Jetski Death. |
| An arrest
warrant has been issued for a teenager in Cyprus after his jetski
killed his girlfriend while they were on holiday.
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| Hannah Sutton,
16, from Cheshire, died after the 17-year-old lost control of the
jetski and rode over her off the island's Pissouri beach.
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Her mother, Lynn, a
schoolteacher at a British military base on the island, watched in
horror from the shore.
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The youth, who is still in
hospital, faces possible manslaughter charges.
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Police are currently waiting
to question him.
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Two local men, aged 29 and
45, who run a jet-ski firm have also been arrested by police, who are
investigating if the vehicles were hired out illegally.
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Ms Sutton and her boyfriend
were under the legal age of 18 to drive them.
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The couple were taken to
Limassol General Hospital, where Hannah died and her boyfriend was
treated for slight injuries.
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Members of the girl's family
were heading out to the island from the Manchester area following the
accident.
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Her father, Stephen, was
flying out to Cyprus with Hannah's brothers William, aged 11 and
Daniel, 14.
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The girl's mother was said to
be "very, very distraught".
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British Forces in Cyprus
spokesman Dennis Barnes said: "This is apparently a tragic
accident and our thoughts go out to the family."
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The girl, a boarding school
pupil at Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, had gone to
Cyprus with her boyfriend to visit her mother.
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School principal Michael
James said: "Hannah was a very popular girl with her peers and a
highly valued member of the school.
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Tourist destination
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"She was a talented girl
and a good all-rounder, taking part in music, drama and sport, as well
as her academic work.
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"She had just taken her
GCSEs and we were anticipating a good set of results. She had a
wonderful future ahead of her and we are absolutely devastated."
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Hannah's mother teaches
service children at St John's Middle School at Episkopi, near Limassol.
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Pissouri is about 15 miles
from Limassol and is popular with British tourists.
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From BBC
News
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| 3rd
August : Rent It Win It! |
| Going
on Holiday? Fancy a Ride?
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| Why not try out
a Yamaha WaveRunner and be in with a chance of some great prizes.
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| Yamaha
have teamed up with over 60 popular rental sites in Spain, France,
Portugal and Italy to offer you the chance of winning one of their
fantastic VX Sport WaveRunners.
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| All
you have to do is make sure to collect your "Rent It! Win
It!" competition card from the participating hire centre after
renting out a Yamaha WaveRunner.
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| On
this card will be your unique code. Simply enter this code on the
special "Rent It! Win It!" website. Answer a few questions
and cross your fingers!
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| Before
you go...
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| So,
to make sure you know where to hire, check out the participating hire
centre maps. They are located at most of the popular beach holiday
destinations, so you won't be far from fun!
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| Please
note only these centres will be able to supply you with your all
important entry card.
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| Already
got the suntan?
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| Bet
you had a great time, you lucky thing...the buzz you got from jetting
around the Med, telling your mates and family how much fun you had
aboard your rented Yamaha WaveRunner.
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| As
long as it was from one of the participating hire centres, you would
have been given a "Rent It! Win It!" card with your unique
entry number on it.
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| Here's
hoping you've still got it to hand as it is your ticket to possibly
winning one of our fantastic VX Sport WaveRunners along with a range
of other great prizes. Follow the "Rent It! Win It!" link
below to enter!
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www.rentit-winit.com
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| 3rd
August : Schoolgirl dies in
jet-ski horror. |
| A British
schoolgirl on holiday in Cyprus has died after being hit by a jet-ski
driven by her boyfriend.
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| Her mother, a
schoolteacher at the British base on the island, watched in horror as
he lost control of the jet-ski and rode over the girl, 16.
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The boy, also 16, who
received slight injuries, was said to be in shock after the accident
off the island's packed Pissouri beach.
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He is due to be interviewed
by police considering manslaughter charges.
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They will also try to
establish if the jet-ski operators had hired out the vehicles
illegally.
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The pair were under the legal
age of 18 to drive them.
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An ambulance was called to
the scene and they were driven to Limassol General Hospital where the
girl died.
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Members of the girl's family
were heading out to the island from the Manchester area following the
accident.
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'Very distraught'
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British officials were still
trying to trace her father in the Manchester area.
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The girl's mother was said to
be "very, very distraught".
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British forces in Cyprus
spokesman Dennis Barnes said: "This is apparently a tragic
accident and our thoughts go out to the family."
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The girl, a boarding school
pupil in England, had gone to Cyprus with her boyfriend to visit her
mother.
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Her mother teaches service
children at St John's Middle School at Episkopi, near Limassol.
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Pissouri is about 15 miles
from Limassol and is popular with British tourists.
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From BBC
News
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