| 30th
July : Win a WaveRunner with GI Joe! |
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On the 7th of
August 2009, Paramount Pictures release their latest GI Joe movie in
cinemas across the UK
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“GI Joe, The Rise of
Cobra”.
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Stephen Sommers is the
director of this non-stop action-thriller sequel, where the GI Joe
team uses cutting edge spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt
arms dealer “Destro” and stop the world from falling in to chaos.
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Paramount Pictures
Corporation along with MTV International is running a competition to
help promote this movie and Yamaha are proud to announce that they
have been able to support this promotion.
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MTV International insisted
that all competition prizes were appropriate to the GI Joe film,
staying true to the action and adrenalin theme and as such they have
selected Yamaha WaveRunners to be key prizes in their
competition, choosing the fantastic VX1100 as a main prize.
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If you would like to be in
with a chance of winning, make sure you log onto www.mtv-gijoe.com/tv/,
where you can find out full details of the competition as well as all
the latest information about the new GI Joe film.
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For more information on the
Yamaha VX1100 and the complete WaveRunner line-up, visit the Yamaha
website at
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www.yamaha-motor.co.uk
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| 28th
July : Jet-Skiers Embark On UK-Round Trip. |
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Two adventurers from Orkney
are attempting to jet-ski around the coast of Britain.
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They aim to complete the
challenge in just 14 days and raise thousands of pounds for a cancer
charity.
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Colin Gregg and Dugy Ward are
used to tackling the seas around Orkney on their jet-skis.
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Now are embarking on a high
speed voyage covering almost 2,500 miles as they complete a circuit of
the coast of Britain.
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Colin said: "There's
going to be some days that are very challenging. Some days will be
lovely, I imagine. But if you don't have bad days you don't appreciate
the goods days. And that takes away from it being a challenge."
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Their jet-skis might look
small for such an arduous voyage. But they're powerful and with extra
fuel on board the two adventurers believe they're well equipped for
the journey ahead.
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Dugy Ward added: "We've
been jet-skiing in Orkney for probably 15 years. In 2000 we jet-skied
to Shetland - 112 miles on a stand-up ski.
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“It was tough but this is a
completely different thing. It's sitting down - but a lot more
miles."
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The pair aim to complete the
challenge in just 14 days - one less than the previous record for the
trip - and to raise substantial funds for the Macmillan cancer
charity.
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News.stv.tv
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| 28th
July : RYA And PWP In Support Of Proposed Changes To Merchant
Shipping Legislation. |
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Current Department for
Transport (DfT) proposals to treat Personal Watercraft (PWC) as ships
has been met with support from both the RYA (Royal Yachting
Association) and PWP (Personal Watercraft Partnership), believing
these new changes will better protect and give greater clarity on
responsibility for all boaters.
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"This new legislation
will not only help protect responsible PWC riders and give authorities
a better position to control their waterways but the end result will
also be a decrease in the negative views of PWCs overall due to the
tiny percentage of reckless/irresponsible water-users who manage to
gain the lime-light”, Candice Abbot, Director Personal Watercraft
Partnership.
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Any responsible boater would
rightly expect that anyone who endangered the lives of others while
afloat should be penalised. It is also in the interests of all those
who go boating for everyone to operate within the same set of rules
for avoiding collisions - COLGREGS, the ‘highway code’ for the
sea.
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However, the Goodwin case in
2005, created some uncertainty as to the extent to which these rules
applied to PWCs and some other craft.
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“I don’t think there are
many boaters who believe that a particular type of boat or craft
should be exempt from responsibility out on the water”, commented
Gus Lewis, RYA Legal and Government Affairs Manager.
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“In essence this proposed
change in legislation won’t make any real difference to what
responsible boaters do out on the water.
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It isn’t a clamp down on
boaters, the Government is simply trying to clarify the issue and
bring all water users within the same legal framework.
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It’s also probably
something that the Government should have done some time ago as the
Goodwin case arguably left the UK in breach of its international
obligations to implement the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea.”
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Another positive aspect of
the proposed changes is that it will allow PWC users to be able to
take their craft abroad with the minimum of fuss.
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As PWC’s aren’t currently
regarded as a ‘ship’ under the Merchant Shipping Act, strictly
speaking this means they are unable to be registered on the Register
of British Ships – which can cause problems when they are taken
abroad.
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Although the Registry has in
practice allowed PWCs to be registered, the proposed legislation would
put this practice on a sound legal footing.
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“The RYA has no major issue
with the proposed changes, although the suggestion that parts of the
Merchant Shipping Act should apply to boogie boards and surfers is
probably going too far”, concluded Gus.
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The RYA is currently
responding to the DfTs consultation on the proposed changes. The
consultation closes on 29 September.
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For more information about
the RYA or Personal Watercraft Partnership visit www.rya.org.uk or
www.pwpuk.org.
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BoatsAndOutboards.co.uk
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| 27th
July : Jet Skiers Must Splash Out On 50Euro Permit In New
Clampdown. |
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By Caitlin McBride
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Jet ski users will have to
buy a 50Euro permit to use their vehicles in the Dun Laoghaire area.
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A new bye-law enforced by Dun
Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council states that anyone wishing to
operate a "personal watercraft" must obtain a permit from
the council.
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Jet skis, which cost from
3,000Euro, were a status symbol of the opulent Celtic Tiger years.
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Denis Dillon, of the Irish
Sailing Association, said:
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"A permit scheme that
allows responsible jet ski operators to use an area is a positive
step, unlike the areas where a blanket bans have been introduced.
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"The ISA actively
promotes the right of all water users to be able to take part in their
chosen sport in a responsible manner, and if local authorities
implement permit schemes or zoned areas in their management plans to
achieve this outcome, the ISA will support these measures," he
said.
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In 2006, the council first
introduced a banning of jet skis within 200m of Seapoint and Killiney,
with the coast around Dun Laoghaire soon following suit.
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The laws also restricted the
times when jet skis can be used -- they can only be operated up to
10am and after 7.30pm.
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A council spokeswoman said:
"Issuing permits ensures that the council knows exactly who owns
and operates jet skis on our waters.
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"Jet skiers who are not
considerate of other water users can be refused permits, thereby
banning them from operating their craft off the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
coast.
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"Jet ski operators who
do not hold a permit will be fined €150 on the spot."
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Since 2006 when the first
restrictions of jet ski use was introduced in Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow
and Westmeath County councils have also updated their water bye-laws.
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Herald.ie
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| 27th
July : Government Clamps Down On Leisure Craft. |
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The Department for Transport
is proposing to reclassify small craft, like surfboards, dinghies and
pedaloes, as ships so that their users are subject to the same
regulations as tankers, cargo ships and cruise liners. This opens the
way for random breath testing at sea.
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A report in The Times today
says the move is intended to tackle reckless behaviour, notably that
of jet skis, by closing a legal loophole that has allowed
irresponsible users to escape justice.
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The loophole was identified
in 2005 when Mark Goodwin of Weymouth escaped conviction after nearly
killing a man while jet ski-ing.
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His defence claimed that the
jet ski was not a seagoing ship and therefore not subject to merchant
shipping regulation, including COLREGs.
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Accidents involving jet skis
resulted in 300 injuries last year and have caused nine fatalities in
the last 10 years.
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By reclassifying small
vessels as ships, the Government makes not only jet skiers, but also
surfers, canoeists, dinghy sailors, pedalo users and anyone on the
water, subject to COLREGs.
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If the legislation goes
through, those found guilty of transgressing the regulations of the
Merchant Shipping Act 1995 will be liable to fines of up to £50,000
and two years in jail.
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Gus Lewis, legal expert at
the RYA, supports the move, saying
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'If you got injured by a
dinghy or a windsurfer, you'd be angry if they were somehow above the
law.'
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He reiterated, though, that
drink-driving legislation is not necessary as it is already an offence
to act in a way that endangers vessels or individuals.
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YachtingMonthly.com
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| 27th
July : Curbing Of Jet-Ski Dangers Will Make New Law
Worth Enduring. |
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If there was one invention
that many of us who love the sea and sailing would dearly love to see
“un-made”, it is the jet ski.
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They are the motorbikes of
the water and, like those on land, are noisy, powerful and dangerous.
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While motorbikes are
principally a threat to those driving them, jet skis are also a threat
to other users of the water.
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And anyone who has witnessed
reckless behaviour by people on jet skis would welcome almost any
measures designed to bring them to heel.
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For that reason, the absurd
proposition that jet skis, along with almost anything else on which
you can propel yourself in the water, be termed a “ship” for legal
purposes, may be seen by many as a price worth paying.
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The pity is that the
catch-all nature of the planned legislation brings within the law and
its sanction a whole range of pleasure craft which rarely, if ever,
require such heavy-handed policing.
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The proposals make a nonsense
of the language and of nautical terminology.
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While it is hard to define
precisely the difference between a ship and a boat, everyone knows a
ship when they see one, and a jet ski, a small yacht, a pedalo, or a
sailing dinghy are most definitely not ships, and never will be.
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A better catch-all word
in this context would be “vessel”.
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Sailors and seagoing folk
generally resist any encroachment of the law on what they view as one
of the last great freedoms — the chance to go to sea and muck about
in anything from a kayak to a vast super-yacht.
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However, in this litigious
age there seems no reason why reckless behaviour by people who may be
drunk in charge of a small vessel or “ship” which injures or
threatens others should not be subject to the full rigour of the law,
just as it would be on land.
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In the meantime, I and many
other small-boat owners will be looking at our modest sailing craft
with a new perspective.
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Nutcracker may have
been little more than a 35ft sailing sloop for the past 49 years, but
soon I may have to think of her as a fully grown “ship” — at
least in the eyes of the law.
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Edward Gorman is a former
sailing correspondent of The Times
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TimesOnline.co.uk
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| 23rd
July : Blowsion Surfslam. |
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Pacific City Oregon to Host
second round of 2009 IFWA Freeride World Tour and IJSBA Motosurf
Western Championship September 11-13th 2009.
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The world’s greatest
Watercraft Freeriders and racers will descend on Pacific City Oregon
for the year’s top PWC surf event.
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The Blowsion Surf Slam
combines the second round of the IFWA Freeride World Championship Tour
with the IJSBA Freeride World Cup and MotoSurf Western Championship.
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The event will be held at
Tierra Del Mar Beach located just north of Pacific City and is free to
the public on this wide expanse of beach.
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This event marks a return to
IFWA and IJSBA co-sanctioning events in order to bring the very best
PWC athletes together at one venue.
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The Blowsion Surf Slam will
bring over 30 freeriders from around the world competing for a cash
purse and points towards the IFWA World title and competing for the
first IJSBA Freeride World Cup.
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The infamous Pacific Coast
surf will boost riders over 20 feet in the air while performing tricks
like backflips, barrel rolls and no handed landings.
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Joining them will be some of
the best PWC racers in the world who will display high speed turns
through a grueling buoy course all while challenging the unpredictable
waves.
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Current IFWA points leader
and last year’s World-Title holder is American Ross Champion.
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When asked about his thoughts
on the 2009 US location he said, “We are really looking forward to
the Blowsion Surf Slam this year. We riders have been coming to
Pacific City for the last 10 years for a private event. We are happy
to be expanding the event this year and looking forward to the general
public being exposed to the sport of Freeride.”
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Spectators will also witness
exciting personal watercraft racing with the IJSBA MotoSurf Western
Championship.
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The top 20 racers in the
country will battle it out in the challenging Pacific City surf.
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Multi-time IJSBA World
Champion, Chris Macclugage is looking forward to the event. “ I am
excited about the return of MotoSurf to the West Coast. The only
racing I really enjoy is in the surf,” said MacCluggaage.
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Freeriders will compete in a
head to head double elimination format.
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A panel of profession judges
will score them using 50% for their wave surfing and 50% for their
aerial maneuvers.
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Racers will compete, in a
multi-lap format; through a challenging buoy course that requires
split second navigation while maintain speeds exceeding 70 MPH.
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The Blowsion Surf Slam is
part of the 5th year of IFWA Freeride World Championship Tour.
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Each stop on the tour
features a beautiful tourist location along with the potential for
large surf and impressive competition.
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The IFWA is the International
Freeride Watercraft Association and the sanctioning body for the sport
of Freeride.
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The IJSBA (International Jet
Sports Boating Association) is the world’s sanctioning body for
organized PWC competitions.
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The IJSBA has affiliates in
more than 50 countries worldwide and each October, since 1982, holds
the annual World Championships in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
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For more information check
out...
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www.blowsionsurfslam.com
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| 23rd
July : FNT Gladiator Challenge. |
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The FreeStyle
National Tour in conjunction with La Manga Holidays, are proud to
present the Gladiator Challenge.
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This a
freestyle competition, but in a knock-out style format with a double
elimination, so all riders will ski at least twice.
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Also new is
the judging, The 2 riders in each heat will ski one after the other,
and then the watching crowd will decide who they thought was the
best.
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The
competition will then progress to the final to decide the champion.
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La Manga
holidays have put up a prize fund of £1000 which will attract the
UK's top riders making this event a real showcase for the sport of
freestyle.
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The location
is Tattershall Park, Lincolnshire, U.K. on Sunday 2nd August.
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There are no
restrictions on ski type, engine size or licence, lets have the best
of the best at the best event of the year.
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Entry has to
registered before the day, but all spectators are of course welcome.
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For
more information visit...
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www.freestylenationaltour.co.uk
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| 23rd
July : Ministry Says Surfboards Are Ships. |
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Surfers, canoeists and
families using dinghies could face jail if they are involved in an
accident under plans to subject them to the same safety rules as oil
tankers and cruise liners.
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The Department for Transport
(DfT) wants anything that takes to the sea to be covered by laws aimed
at reducing accidents.
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It raises the prospect of
amateur body-boarders being breathalysed to see if they have been
drinking and windsurfers prosecuted if they are deemed to have become
a safety hazard.
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Last night, critics described
the plan as "bonkers" and insisted only craft with an engine
should be included.
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A long list of apparently
innocuous pastimes – usually enjoyed close to the water's edge –
risks being swept up into Merchant Shipping legislation as part of a
crackdown on jet-skis.
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Ministers want to
"include every description of watercraft" in laws on
"safety, conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals and
drugs and alcohol offences".
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Some offences carry a
possible prison sentence of up to two years while others could see
fines imposed of up to £50,000.
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As well as jet-skis, small
hovercraft and speedboats, the Government is considering imposing the
new rules on body-boards, boogie-boards, canoes, kite-surfing boards,
sailboards, skim boards, wind surfers and sailing dinghies.
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The plans have outraged water
sports enthusiasts.
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Rob Barber, owner of
Britain's only body-boarding school, based in Newquay, Cornwall, said
the plan was "a bit extreme" and would be too
"bizarre" to enforce.
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"Common sense says you
don't go on a surfboard when you are drunk anyway – it's not
something you want to do.
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It's a bit like grouping
every single vehicle from a kid's tricycle all the way up to an
articulated lorry."
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He suggested there should be
a distinction between watercraft with engines and those without.
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Mark Hunter, director of the
Hunter surfshop in Woolacombe, North Devon, said the plan was
"absolutely bonkers".
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"The idea of blanket
legislation which goes from an oil tanker to a dinghy is just
incredible. There is a massive difference between powered craft going
at 90mph in a crowded area and something that is using the power of
the ocean."
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The proposals are part of a
consultation launched by the DfT in the wake of a court case which
exposed a legal loophole, allowing a jet-skier to avoid a jail
sentence.
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Appeal Court judges ruled a
jet-ski could not be considered a ship after Mark Goodwin, 25, was
jailed for six months following an accident on his Yamaha jet-ski off
Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth, in 2004.
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The judges said the jet-ski
was not a seagoing ship and so not subject to the Merchant Shipping
Act. Mr Goodwin's conviction was overturned.
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However, the DfT has insisted
the plan will only target those who "spoil the fun of everyone
else".
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A spokesman said: "The
intention of the proposed amendment is to close the legal loophole in
respect of watercraft of all types.
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"Everybody should be
free to enjoy themselves on the water in the knowledge that there are
sanctions to deal with those who would put their safety at risk.
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"These proposals will
ensure that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent the
irresponsible few spoiling the fun of everyone else."
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ThisIsCornwall.co.uk
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| 22nd
July : Man From United Kingdom Injured In PWC Mishap. |
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Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.
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The rider of a rented
personal watercraft was rushed to Lake Regional Hospital with moderate
injury after a collision Sunday evening.
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Lewis Hickley, 18, of
Godalming, U.K., was operating a Yamaha PWC on the main channel at
5:40 p.m. when a collision occurred between his rented vessel and
another PWC driven by Cody Lee, 19, of Murphysboro, Ill.
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The Missouri Water
Patrol report summarizes the incident candidly: "Operating too
close and not paying attention."
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Hickley suffered
moderate injury in the collision and was taken to Lake Regional.
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The PWC that Hickley
operated sustained major damage, according to the Water Patrol.
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Lee was not injured and
his rented PWC sustained minor damage.
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LakeExpo.com
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| 21st
July : 'Why The Spanish Government Cannot Be Trusted' Says
Opposition. |
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The latest incident involving
a Spanish Civil Guard launch in Camp Bay on Friday raises a number of
questions which have not been answered, says the Opposition.
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Eyewitnesses have told the
Opposition that a Civil Guard launch, approached Camp Bay from the
South chasing two jet-skis.
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The Civil Guard followed them
into the bathing area designated by demarcation buoys and proceeded to
encircle one of the jet-ski’s two times.
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The other jet-ski left the
area.
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It has been claimed that the
jet-ski in question was in distress and that is why the Civil Guard
launch came in.
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This is not the impression of
people who were watching from the shore.
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The Opposition has been told
that the life-guard rescue launch was already in attendance near the
jet-ski when the Civil Guard launch arrived and that its presence for
this purpose was therefore not required.
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Moreover, the Civil Guard had
actually been following and chasing the jet-ski in Gibraltar waters
already before it came to a standstill in Camp Bay.
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The Opposition add that it
has been told that the Royal Gibraltar Police arrived on the scene
about ten minutes later on two separate vessels and a conversation
ensued between the Civil Guard and the RGP.
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The Civil Guard launch
remained inside the demarcation buoys while the conversation took
place much to the annoyance of people on the beach.
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The Civil Guard launch then
proceeded to leave the area of Camp Bay by moving slowly just outside
the demarcation buoys.
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It was shadowed by the small
life-guard rescue launch which travelled inside the demarcation buoys
parallel to the Civil Guard launch until it got to the area of Little
Bay when it left.
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The RGP remained in Camp Bay
for a short while and then left the area as well but according to
eyewitnesses did not escort the Civil Guard out.
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Another different eyewitness
who was on the east side of the Rock has told the Opposition that at
about 7.15pm, a Civil Guard launch, presumably the one that had left
Camp Bay, was moving close to Gibraltar in the area past the
lighthouse.
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It was approached by two RGP
launches, one stopped beside it and the other in front.
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After a conversation between
the officers the Civil Guard launch moved further away from Gibraltar
and proceeded in the direction of Spain, though still inside our
waters.
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"It is bad enough for
the Spanish Civil Guard to behave as if Gibraltar’s waters belonged
to them, it is arguably even worse for them to come inside the bathing
demarcation buoys thereby posing a potential risk to the safety of
swimmers and other people in the sea," said the Opposition.
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And they added: These
continuing acts of hostility put the existence of the so-called new
climate in relations between Gibraltar and Spain further into
doubt.
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Coupled with the designation
of Gibraltar’s waters as Spanish in an EU directive, the incidents
show that Madrid behaves in a two-faced and underhand manner and that
they cannot be trusted.
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Their actions speak louder
than words.
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Panorama.gi
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| 20th
July : Merchant Shipping Order Consultation. |
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Statement by: Paul Clark MP,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport
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I am today publishing a
consultation entitled
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"Merchant
Shipping - Public Consultation on the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft)
Order 200X"
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which sets out proposals to
regulate the safe use of all watercraft by bringing them into the
scope of the Merchant Shipping legislation.
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The proposals also aim to
clarify the process for registering them on the UK Ship Register.
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The changes are being
considered following a Court of Appeal ruling in 2005 (R v Goodwin)
where an accident between two jetskis resulted in serious injuries to
one of the riders.
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The Court ruled that
watercraft used simply for having fun on the water, such as jetskis
(also referred to as personal watercraft), were not within the
definition of ’ship' in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (MSA).
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This meant that such
watercraft and their users were not covered by the MSA and related
legislation, including offences related to conduct endangering ships,
structures or individuals.
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The consultation paper has
two elements
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Safe use of watercraft -
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At present there is no
overarching power of enforcement to prosecute those who use certain
watercraft neglectfully, causing accidents or endangering the safety
of others.
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We are committed to
protecting all users of our waters so they can pursue their activities
in safety.
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The proposal to bring all
watercraft within relevant provisions of the MSA and related
legislation would allow us to take action against the owners and users
of watercraft who carry out reckless or dangerous activity on the
water.
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These proposals would bring
such craft within the scope of safety requirements, including alcohol
and drug offences.
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Clarifying the process for
registering watercraft on the Ship Register -
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As a result of the Goodwin
decision, there is also no power for owners of certain watercraft to
register their craft on the UK Ship Register.
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We are proposing that those
sections of the MSA which provide for registration and registration
regulations to apply to all watercraft so that owners can register
them if they choose to.
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The consultation will close
on 29 September 2009.
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Copies of the consultation
document have been placed in the Library of the House.
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DepartmentForTransport
|
| 19th
July : Jet-Ski Briton Hit By
Lightning Fighting For Life. |
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By Chris
Riches
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A BRITISH teenage girl is
lying critically ill in a Mexican hospital today after being struck by
lightning while riding a jet ski.
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Amy Brislen, 19, was on
holiday with her boyfriend at a beach in the resort of Cancun when she
was hit by the bolt during a sudden storm.
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The teenager, from West Derby
in Liverpool, was rescued and taken to hospital. Her family have flown
out to be at her bedside.
|
|
Yesterday her condition was
said to have stabilised after intensive treatment and she is
recovering.
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|
A family friend yesterday
said:
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“We are desperately hoping
for good news from Mexico. Amy has been looking forward to this dream
holiday for ages and was really keen to go to Mexico. All her friends
and family are thinking of her.”
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|
The freak lightning storm
swept in while the young couple – Amy’s boyfriend has yet to be
named – were on the jet ski last week.
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|
She apparently went into the
coma after the massive electric shock and she is also being treated
for burn injuries.
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The former Broughton Hall
High School pupil, who was staying at a local hotel, is still
currently too ill to be transferred back to the UK.
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|
A female friend, with her at
the time, was also treated for shock.
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|
Friends have since left
shocked messages on her Facebook page. One wrote: “Hi babe, still
can’t believe it. Loads of hugs, loves and kisses.”
|
|
Last
night a Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are currently providing
consular assistance to a British national who is in hospital in
Cancun.
|
|
“We were notified about the
accident and we have been in regular contact with her family and the
hospital.”
|
|
Travel websites warn tourists
that hurricanes and lightning are not uncommon in Cancun, but the
resort is a popular all-inclusive holiday destination for Britons.
|
|
Hurricane season is
officially from June to November. August, September and October are
considered peak months. In 2005 there were 27 named storms, 15 of
which were hurricanes.
|
|
A warning on Tripadvisor.com
says: “When travelling to Cancun, it’s important to be aware of
the hurricane season.
|
|
“Many are tempted to travel
during this time of year because it coincides with the low season,
when hotel rates and airfares are lower, and Cancun is less crowded.
|
|
“With these deals, however,
comes the fact that your vacation may be impacted by a hurricane or a
tropical storm directly or indirectly.” In July last year
19-year-old Korey Moore died on his jet ski when he too was struck by
lightning in Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
|
|
Korey was holding on to the
railing of a pontoon boat when the boat’s antenna was hit. The
lightning travelled down the boat to the handrail and blew him off
his jet ski.
|
|
Express.co.uk
|
|
Further Reports Here...
|
|
DailyStar,
ClickLiverpool,
LiverpoolEcho
|
| 18th
July : Jet-Ski Brit Is Hit By
Lightning. |
|
By Ben Ashford
|
|
A British teenager was
fighting for life today after being hit by lightning while riding a
jet ski.
|
|
Pretty Amy Brislen was struck
down during a tropical storm while on the Mexican beach resort of
Cancun.
|
|
The 19-year-old beauty from
West Derby, Liverpool, was rushed to hospital in a coma.
|
|
Amy's distraught parents flew
out to be by their daughter's bedside.
|
|
She was on holiday with her
boyfriend and another couple when she headed into the sea on a jet ski
last Saturday.
|
|
Pals who witnessed the
lightning bolt striking her were treated for shock.
|
|
Support
|
|
Last night Amy's condition
was said to have slightly improved but she was still too ill to be
transferred back to the UK.
|
|
Horrified friends left
messages of support on her Facebook page.
|
|
A colleague wrote: "'Hi
babe still cant believe it. Loads of hugs loves an kisses. We're all
thinkin of u in work.
|
|
"Everyone sayin a little
prayer for u at night."
|
|
Despite the spectre of swine
flu, Cancun remains a popular all-inclusive holiday destination for
Brits.
|
|
Hurricanes and lightning are
frequent in the sun-drenched Mexican resort, particularly between June
and November.
|
|
The most recent figures show
that there were 27 storms, 15 of which were hurricanes in 2005.
|
|
Advice on Tripadvisor.com
says: "When travelling to Cancun, it's important to be aware of
the hurricane season.
|
|
"Many are tempted to
travel during this time of year because it coincides with the low
season, when hotel rates and airfares are lower, and Cancun is less
crowded.
|
|
"With these deals,
however, comes the fact that your vacation may be impacted by a
hurricane or a tropical storm directly or indirectly."
|
|
A foreign office spokeswoman
said: "We are currently providing consular assistance to a
British national who is in hospital in Cancun.
|
|
"We were notified about
the accident on Saturday. We have since been in regular contact with
her family and the hospital."
|
|
TheSun.co.uk
|
| 17th
July : Jet-Skiers Warned Of Dangers. |
|
Helensburgh jet-skiers have
been urged to be cautious after two rescue operations in one week.
|
|
The lifeboat crew, based at
Rhu, have issued a warning to jet-skiers, after the RNLI lifeboat was
called out on both occasions.
|
|
Some of the simple, but
handy, tips include checking the weather forecast before launching,
carrying a whistle to attract attention, and to always wear suitable
protective clothing.
|
|
Even in a warm summer such as
this, the Clyde is cold, and survival times can be as little as 30 -
45 minutes.
|
|
In the first incident, the
occupants of a two-person jet-ski were thrown from their craft near
the container terminal at Greenock.
|
|
They were unable to get back
to the jet-ski, but managed to swim to the quay wall where they clung
to a ladder.
|
|
A safety boat from the nearby
Fishery Protection vessel Mina managed to secure the drifting jet-ski
and took it under tow.
|
|
When the Helensburgh lifeboat
crew arrived on scene, they picked up the two stranded jet-skiers and
took over the tow of the jet-ski, returning them to their launching
site in Cardwell Bay.
|
|
A few days later, a similar
incident occurred off Dunoon.
|
|
Two jet-skiers were thrown
into the water when their craft capsized, and again they were unable
to regain control of the jet-ski.
|
|
The two people managed to
swim ashore and a local boat recovered the jet-ski.
|
|
The Helensburgh Lifeboat crew
arrived on scene as the situation was being safely resolved so their
services were not required on this occasion, but these two incidents
clearly illustrate the potential dangers involved in the use of
jet-skis and jet-bikes in the open sea, so a few safety tips may be
appropriate.
|
|
HelensburghAdvertiser.co.uk
|
| 15th
July : Safety On The Skis. |
|
By Anton
McNulty
|
|
The
first jet-ski training course in Mayo took place recently in Blacksod.
Anton McNulty went up to have a look.
|
|
Zipping across the waves at
high-speed making loud noise and recklessly causing a nuisance around
beaches and lakes is often the common perception when people think of
jet-skiers.
|
|
The last number of years has
seen a large increase in the number of people using jet-skis around
Ireland and whether the negative perception is fair or not, many local
authorities bringing in by-laws curtailing the use of jet-skis or in
Donegal County Council’s case banning them completely from beaches.
|
|
Even with the ability to
reach speeds of 100kph, users of jet-skis don’t need formal training
before they get on the water.
|
|
In light of a number of
tragedies involving jet skis, the Irish Sailing Association (ISA)
offer power-craft safety courses - one of which has been organised in
Mayo by Broadhaven Marine Training, based in Ballyglass outside
Belmullet.
|
|
The first course took place
last weekend when five jet-ski novices were shown the working of
jet-skis and all the safety requirements over two-days.
|
|
The principal instructor, Amy
Veasey told The Mayo News that while safety was of paramount
importance in the course, so too was having fun and showing common
courtesy to other water users.
|
|
“We are running a two-day
course for beginners to take them to a national standard of safety.
|
|
The course is devised by
jet-ski users - the ISA brought a group of users together to look at
the skills they were using and develop a course to focus on those
basis safety skills.
|
|
This is a national standard
award and you can obtain it in different ways and should accommodate
everybody - not just those who have just got a ski but those who have
had a ski for a long time.
|
|
As with any type of craft, it
is important to understand the full breadth of the craft and the
course is designed to cover different types of uses in different
areas,” she explained.
|
|
A member of both the RNLI
Ballyglass lifeboat and Belmullet inshore lifeboat, Amy is an
experienced Powerboat and Jet Ski Trainer and has taught
recreationally in centres across the UK and Ireland.
|
|
Before getting on the skis,
she tells the participants of the suitable type of clothing for
different seasons and how to prepare your ski for a trip.
|
|
Out on the water, the course
covers the basic operation of a ski including basic slow and high
speed handling skills as well as advanced handling skills.
|
|
The storage, use and handling
of safety equipment such as flares was also explained and what to do
in the event of an emergency.
|
|
Jet-skis are designed for
speed and Amy explained that the inability to deal with the handling
of the ski at speed is the main cause of accidents.
|
|
When asked about the negative
perception of jet-skiers, she is quick to defend the sport and wants
to change the negative perception.
|
|
“No, it is a generalisation,
there are lots of clubs forming trying to bring the image forward. I
was based in the UK and a lot of work has been done over there with
that same sort of perception.
|
|
They are fun machines and if
they are used safely they should be enjoyed by everybody.
|
|
Anything that travels fast
draws attention and you need to be 100 % on top of your behaviour and
I think that is where that [negativity] partly comes from.
|
|
They are fun but they do need
to be used responsibly.
|
|
There are a lot of people,
the ISA in particular who are doing a lot of work to take that
perception away.
|
|
“With any powerful machine
it is important to understand not only for your own safety but for the
safety of others how it operates and how you should operate it and how
to be courteous to others while your using it.
|
|
The emphasis of the whole
course is to be safe and enjoy your time on the water for
yourself and others.”
|
|
Further
Information
|
|
on powerboat and jet-ski
training can be obtained on www.marinetraining.ie
|
|
MayoNews.ie
|
| 14th
July : Jet Ski Couple Rescued 300m Off
Shore. |
|
A couple had to be rescued
after their Jet Ski broke down 300 metres from the shore.
|
|
RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat
crew at Teignmouth sprung into action when the couple alerted Brixham
coastguards they had no way to get back safely to the beach.
|
|
The incident happened at
5.06pm on Sunday off Teignmouth seafront when the Jet Ski suffered a
fouled propeller.
|
|
The lifeguards, led by Ben
Mohan, responded immediately and used their Rescue Water Craft to come
to the couple's rescue.
|
|
They were able to check on
them and found they were unharmed.
|
|
Without a towing facility on
the RWC, the RNLI lifeguards requested back-up from the RNLI lifeboat
stationed at Teignmouth.
|
|
The volunteer crews, who had
already attended an incident earlier in the day, took the couple
onboard the Atlantic 85 lifeboat The Two Anns and towed the Jet Ski
safely back to shore.
|
|
Rory Smith, RNLI lifeguard
supervisor, said:
|
|
"Sunday's incident is
just another example of how the RNLI lifeguards, who began their
patrols on Teignmouth beach in May, are able to work with the
volunteer lifeboat crew at Teignmouth to help both beach and water
users."
|
|
In 2008 RNLI lifeguards in
the South West responded to 8,424 incidents on the beach, and came to
the aid of 9,802 people and saved 39 lives.
|
|
ThisIsSouthDevon.co.uk
|
| 10th
July : Hol Brits Are Saved As Jet-Ski Hits Boat. |
|
By Vanessa
Altin
|
|
Almost 50 Brit tourists were
rescued from a sinking boat after a jet-ski ploughed into it.
|
|
They were on board the
Helvaci enjoying a “lazy day cruise” when the accident happened.
|
|
The boat, which was a quarter
of a mile out to sea off Marmaris, Turkey, was left with a gaping hole
in port side.
|
|
The holidaymakers had just
left the tiny port of Kumlubuk when the jet-ski, driven by two Turkish
lads, smashed into the wooden pleasure boat.
|
|
Skipper Solen Olgun told the
passengers to move to the other side of the boat so that it listed and
kept the hole above water level.
|
Angry crew told passengers
they are plagued by locals on jet-skis who deliberately cover
passengers with their
spray.
|
|
Peter Kerr, 50, from Fife,
said: “We were lucky that it happened so close to shore, otherwise
it would have been a very different story.
|
|
“The skipper was brilliant.
He kept reassuring us and saying: ‘We’re not going to sink.
No-one’s going to get hurt.’ He certainly kept everyone calm.
|
|
“One of the crew told me
they are often soaked by pranksters on jet-skis who like to get up
close, turn at the very last moment and spray the people on board.
This pair clearly misjudged their turn.
|
|
“The skipper beached the
boat to get us all off before it sank. Suddenly there were scores of
lads with ropes dragging the damaged side of the Helvaci to the
shore.”
|
|
Peter’s wife Jane, 44, a
nursery nurse, explained: “We heard a loud bang and then the skipper
shouting: ‘No!’
|
|
“He was brilliant. He ran
out from behind the wheel and ordered us all over to the opposite side
to balance the weight.
|
“The boat was taking on
water and it was quite frightening. But everyone stayed calm and I
think it helped be-
cause we could see the shore.”
|
|
Couple Janine Brandwood, 20,
and Mark Madders, 21, from Oldham, were on their first holiday
together.
|
|
Janine said: “Everyone
stayed calm but it was quite a shock.
|
“The captain and crew were
brilliant and made sure we got back to shore safely. It certainly
wouldn’t put me off
another boat trip, though.”
|
|
Mark added: “I can’t
believe they didn’t see us – it was a great big boat.”
|
|
A speedboat towing an inflatable
banana plucked the jet-ski riders from the water and rushed them to
the shore.
|
|
They were taken to a local
state hospital where one was said to have a broken leg.
|
|
The Helvaci passengers, who
had each paid £10 for the day trip and lunch, were taken back to
Marmaris by a second boat.
|
|
DailyStar.co.uk
|
| 10th
July : British Tourists Saved After
Jetski Sinks Boat In Marmaris. |
|
Fifty British tourists were
rescued from a sinking boat in the Med after a jetski rammed into it.
|
|
The jetski holed the wooden
pleasure boat, a quarter-of-a-mile out to sea.
|
|
But the quick-thinking
captain ordered everyone to one side to keep the hole out of the
water.
|
|
He then steered the boat, the
Halvaci, slowly to the shore. Another vessel then ferried everyone
back to Marmaris, Turkey.
|
|
Among the passengers on the
day cruise were Janine Brandwood, 20, and her 21-year-old boyfriend
Mark Madders, from Oldham, Manchester.
|
|
Janine said: "Everyone
stayed calm but it was quite a shock.
|
|
"The captain and crew
were brilliant."
|
|
Mirror.co.uk
|
| 10th
July : British Tourist Boat Sunk In Jet
Ski Crash. |
|
Scores of British tourists
had to be rescued from a sinking boat after a jet ski ploughed into
the side leaving a gaping hole.
|
|
The accident happened on
Wednesday afternoon, a quarter-of-a-mile out to sea from the tiny bay
of Kumlubuk near the popular Mediterranean resort of Marmaris, Turkey.
|
|
Nearly 50 Britons were on
board the Helvaci for a 'lazy day cruise' when the accident
happened.
|
|
They were just leaving
Kumlubuk shortly after 3pm local time when the jet ski which was being
driven by two Turkish youths, smashed into the hull of the wooden
pleasure boat.
|
|
Solen Olgun, the ship's
captain, ordered all the passengers across to the opposite side of the
vessel to try to keep the hole out of the water as the damaged boat
limped back to shore.
|
|
Jane and Peter Kerr from
Fife, Scotland were on the Helvaci when the accident happened.
|
|
Mrs Kerr, 44, a nursery
nurse, explained:
|
|
"We heard a loud bang
and then the skipper shouting 'No'.
|
|
He ran out from behind the
wheel and ordered us all over to the opposite side to balance the
weight.
|
|
"The boat was taking on
water and it was quite frightening."
|
|
The captain managed to steer
the boat towards the shore where it beached before local men with
ropes then dragged the damaged side of the Helvaci to the shore.
|
|
The Helvaci passengers, who
had each paid £10 for the day trip and lunch, were then able to
disembark and were ferried back to Marmaris by a second pleasure boat
'The Grand Viking'.
|
|
Mr Kerr, 50, a painter, said:
|
|
"One of the boat crew
told me they are often soaked by pranksters on jet ski's who like to
get up close, turn at the very last moment, and spray all the people
on board with seawater. Well this pair clearly misjudged their
turn."
|
|
A passing speed boat pulled
the two youths from the water and took them back to the shore where
they were sent to the local state hospital. One was later reported to
have a broken leg.
|
|
Janine Brandwood, 20, and her
boyfriend Mark Madders, 21, clambered off the sinking Helvaci at
Kumlubuk.
|
|
The couple, who both work in
Sainsburys in Oldham, Manchester, were on their first holiday together
in Turkey.
|
|
Mr Madders said: "The
jet ski smashed straight into the side of our boat. I can't believe
they didn't see us -it was a great big boat."
|
|
Telegraph.co.uk
|
| 8th
July : River Nene: Crackdown On Jet-Ski
Yobs. |
|
By Kirsten Beacock
|
|
A crackdown on yobbish
jet-ski riders and speeding boats on the River Nene is to be launched
ahead of Tacklefest - Britain's most prestigious fishing event.
|
|
The move comes after anglers,
boaters and wildlife were terrorised last weekend by a posse of
unlicensed jet-skis and speed boats racing along the waterway.
|
|
Now there are fears for a
special event at the weekend, when more than 8,000 visitors are
expected over the weekend in Peterborough for the annual Tacklefest
competition, an event, known as "the FA Cup of angling".
|
|
And in order to protect the
prestigious event, the Environment Agency has warned it will adopt a
zero tolerance policy to nuisance behaviour on the river over the
weekend.
|
|
And officers will patrol the
waterways in their enforcement boat, Challenger, in a bit to protect
the fisherman.
|
|
Angling spokesman Ken Wade
said he had immediately contacted the Environment Agency last weekend
to warn them of the jet-ski riders and said he hoped similar behaviour
would not spoil the major event in the city's fishing calendar.
|
|
He added: "We have two
world champions and a European champion competing in the event, not to
mention the big crowds who will be watching.
|
|
"The River Nene is a
place we should all be able to share and enjoy, but it is surely no
place for powerful jet-skis and speed boats.
|
|
"It's a major accident
waiting to happen."
|
|
And head water bailiff for
Peterborough & District Anglers Association Jonathan Means said
the problem needed sorting out once and for all.
|
|
He said: "This weekend
they were racing three abreast down the river near Orton and the wake
was battering the sides of the river.
|
|
"If these yobs are
allowed to continue to terrorise the boaters, rowers, canoeists and
anglers let alone the wildlife, then it is a very sad thing."
|
|
In October, The Evening
Telegraph revealed that boat owners had contacted the police and the
Environment Agency about jet-skiers being a danger to waterway users
and wildlife, such as ducks and swans in the river.
|
|
A spokesman for The
Environment Agency, which manages the river, said it has received
numerous complaints from the public and anglers, and it was well aware
of the problem.
|
|
He said: "We are working
with the police and we will be enforcing the 4mph speed limit on the
river and anyone without licenses or flouting the limit could face
prosecution if caught.
|
|
"We hope that these
riders will be considerate to the other users of the river, especially
over this weekend."
|
|
The Environment Agency has
urged river users and passers-by to call a special hotline if they
spot anything suspicious:
|
|
Environment Agency: Report an
Incident - 0800 80 70 60 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/contactus
|
|
Alternatively call the police
on 0345 4564564.
|
|
PeterboroughToday.co.uk
|
| 8th
July : Runaway Jet Ski Drama At Herne Bay. |
|
A runaway Jet Ski caused
mayhem in the sea off Herne Bay on Sunday.
|
|
The fun boat leapt out of the
hands of its rider as he tried to fire it up.
|
|
It careered off and boats had
to dodge the ghost craft, with it amazingly ending up near Southend.
|
|
No-one was hurt in the
incredible incident which started at Hampton, but investigations are
going on into what happened.
|
|
The lifeboat service at
Whitstable was called into action at 2pm on the boiling hot day, with
hundreds of sun seekers packing the beach and seafront.
|
|
Now a leading rescueman has
blasted Jet Ski users who do not follow safety rules, claiming someone
could have been killed.
|
|
Whitstable Lifeboat
Operations Manager Mike Judge said: "This had all the makings of
a potentially serious incident.
|
|
"If the unmanned Jet Ski
had headed inshore then there would have been a serious risk of injury
or loss of life to anyone in the water or on the shoreline.
|
|
"The possibility of a
collision between the Jet Ski and other small craft would have again
had major implications with the possibility of injury and loss of
life.
|
|
"It could have sparked a
large scale rescue operation."
|
|
Jet Ski riders should have a
'kill cord' which switches off the engine if they are thrown off their
craft.
|
|
"If the Jet Ski was
stationary the occupant would stand some chance to re-board the
craft," added Mr Judge.
|
|
"In the event of a
rescue, it is easier to find spot a person if they are near their Jet
Ski, as the craft is easier to find.
|
|
"It is understood in
this case the rider was attached to his craft by the 'kill-cord' but
it slipped off his wrist.
|
|
"It would probably have
been better if the kill-cord was attached to the riders buoyancy
jacket.
|
|
"There is no suggestion
that he was behaving improperly but the incident has provided a timely
reminder of the risks involved with such craft."
|
|
Nigel Newton, chairman of
JAWS, the Herne and Whitstable Jet Ski and Watercraft Society, said
his members would continue to have the safety message drummed into
them.
|
|
He was investigating the
incident and planned to speak about it at a water safety meeting on
Thursday (July 9).
|
|
"Anyone in the water -
be it a boater or someone on a Jet Ski - should wear the appropriate
gear," he said.
|
|
"It is debatable whether
a kill cord should be on the buoyancy aid or the wrist.
|
|
"The engine should have
throttled right down and the engine just ticked over in either case.
|
|
"My understanding is
this rider was trying to get his machine working just off the beach.
|
|
"He had trouble starting
it and lost control of it. One of my members came to help him and told
me about it.
|
|
"It seems there was
something else wrong with the craft if it got as far as it did.
|
|
"I'm surprised it ended
up there.
|
|
"Jet Skis are very
popular in Herne Bay with more than 20 people taking part on a nice
sunny day like Sunday.
|
|
"I have also run the
Shore Play shop on Central Parade for nine years and safety is
becoming much better with these craft.
|
|
"They are one of the
safest things in the water and riders have to take with them paddles,
flares and a knife if they get tangled up, amongst other things.
|
|
"A rider does not have
to have a safety lesson before going out on the water, but it is of
course recommended.
|
|
"I will be re-iterating
the safety message to my group this week."
|
|
The alert was raised at
2.07pm after the sailing barge Greta avoided the Jet Ski out at sea
between the Kentish Flats Wind Farm and the Shivering Sands Towers.
|
|
It sailed within 100 yards of
an anchored angling boat near the Red Sands Towers.
|
|
The Port of London Authority
issued a warning to shipping and it eventually became tied up in the
remains of the former Second World War defence boom at Shoeburyness,
near Southend.
|
|
"It is perhaps fortunate
that the old wartime boom designed to protect against submarines once
again played a role and protected the public from further risk,"
added Mr Judge.
|
|
|
|
* A JET Ski was towed to
shore on Monday (July 6) after a passerby spotted the rider waving for
help.
|
|
The vehicle was towing a
rubber ring off Hampton when it got into difficulties and coastguards
were alerted.
|
|
Whitstable's volunteer
lifeboat crews were called to the scene and found a passing speedboat
towing it back to Herne Bay harbour.
|
|
ThisIsKent.co.uk
|
| 7th
July : JSRA Safety Boats Stolen. |
| JSRA Safety
Boats were stolen in the early hours of July 4th from NitroJet Action
Sports in Oxfordshire.
|
|
|
2 x SEA-DOO GTI 2003.
|
|
The skis were on a white Jetloader
trailer tied down with blue and orange ties and fitted with Sea-Doo covers.
|
|
Neither skis have lanyards and
therefore are immobilized for use
|
|
Anyone
attempting to use these ski will need to seek assistance from a Sea-Doo dealer.
|
|
One ski is missing a pump, (currently
being refurbished).
|
|
Both skis are completely standard -
except for JSRA graphics and fitted with D-rings on the back end to allow the
fitting of safety raft.
|
|
The stop start switches have been
rerouted for easier starting.
|
|
|
|
Craft Details
|
|
2003 SeaDoo GTi – No.1
Engine - M5686244 Hull - ZZN09634B303
|
|
2003 SeaDoo GTi – No.2
Engine - M5684732 Hull - ZZN09192B303
|
|
|
|
These Boats are no good to anyone
except the JSRA, They would really like them back.
|
|
Therefore, they are offering a reward
for their safe return.
|
|
If you know anything about the theft
that can help with their return please contact the JSRA.
|
|
They aren't interested in pressing
charges, they just want them back.
|
|
www.jsra.co.uk
|
| 7th
July : Escaped
Jetski Captured By Lifeboat. |
|
A
runaway jetski was pursued by Whitstable lifeboat after it was spotted
speeding out to sea towards the busy Thames Estuary shipping lane.
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The
sailing barge Greta reported a mysterious, unmanned jetski driving
itself along between the windfarm and the Shivering Sand Towers.
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The
lifeboat was called out just after 2pm on Sunday, July 5, and went to
investigate.
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Meanwhile,
Herne Bay Coastguard found the missing rider safe ashore at Hampton,
after another jetski had picked him up when he had fallen off.
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But
his jetski was still motoring about in the busy Thames Estuary
shipping lane.
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The
Whitstable lifeboat started a search for the missing craft.
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Before
long a container ship near the Red Sand Towers reported that the
vessel was driving itself towards Southend.
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Soon
after a report came in that it had become entangled in the remains of
a Second World War defence boom at Shoeburyness.
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The
Southend lifeboat was asked to retrieve the jetski while the
Whitstable lifeboat returned to port.
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KentNews.co.uk
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| 1st
July : Local Jet Skier Enjoys A Double
Celebration. |
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Local freestyle jet skier
Luke Stocks is celebrating, after being awarded sponsorship from the
Grimsby Institute as part of their sponsorship programme and being
placed first in the first two rounds of the National Championships.
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Luke will now compete in
another four rounds over the summer months in his bid to take the
National Title, has won the British National Championship twice along
with many other national and local awards has made a splash on the
national scene.
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Luke said:
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“I’m so pleased the
Institute has chosen to sponsor me, I’m looking forward to competing
over the summer for the National title.”
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The sport is physically
demanding and Luke spends a lot of time staying in peak condition.
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He explained: "I spend a
lot of time in the gym as you need a lot of strength, flexibility and
co-ordination for when you are doing stunts which include back flips
and barrel rolls."
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Luke inspiration over the
years is from one of his heroes, Eric Malone, the American World Jet
Ski Champion who has coached Luke in the past.
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Hugh Callaway, Executive
Director of Marketing and Communications said:
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Sponsoring individuals like
Luke is extremely important to the Institute, he is extremely
committed to his sport and we are looking forward to seeing how he
progresses this year. “
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The Institute has supported a
number of community groups and individuals through their sponsorship
programme; from talented sporting individuals to clubs and societies
the Institute has been active in supporting the local community in a
variety of ways.
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As part of the sponsorship
programme the Institute also has a sporting excellence scheme in
place. The scheme offers Institute sportspersons varying levels of
support dependent on the individual’s level of competition whether
it is County level, National level or even International level.
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Claire Thompson, Sports
Development Officer at the Institute said:
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“ The sporting excellence
scheme is so important. It’s so expensive for families to support
their aspiring sports stars in terms of money and time, the Institute
developed this scheme to ensure that their students are receiving a
full education and are developed to their maximum potential in their
chosen sporting discipline.”
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The scheme, which has been
extremely popular, offers coaching and nutritional advice as well as
financial support. Anyone interested in accessing it should contact
Claire Thompson, 01472 311222 ext 638.
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Anyone who is interested in
sponsoring Luke with his costs can contact him via email at stoxy77@hotmail.com.
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Grimsby.ac.uk
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