07-04-2007, 12:32 PM
Recently I observed a jetski moron miss a 20 foot ten ton cruiser by inches.
A little red patch is not sufficient for such idiots, it is the same type drive their cars into stationery objects in the early morning hours. Should a bridge or wall also have to have a flou patch?
It is a new problem, and here in Ireland for a while, restrictions on speed within certain distance from shore, and near swimming areas were tried, but too many young warrior types disregarded every such rule with their jetski. They seem to really enjoy "buzzing" youngster groups out for a day sailing in small sailing craft more than anything.
Now in Ireland we have had local authorities ban fast PWCs on many "fishing" lakes and they have now been coralled into fewer number of designated PWC lakes, where the only anglers will be in boats, and at the other end of the lake.
It took a big lobby by angling clubs to achieve the bans, but angling tourism as an industry and loss of earnings due to fishing tourists not returning to "race-track fisheries", finally got the laws passed.
My advice ...do not rely much on the visual protection given by a warning device like a fluo patch. It depends upon the oncoming driver actually looking where they are going.
Somebody (TD?) mentioned air horns ... I suspect they might work better, but the real cure is to agitate to get problem drivers removed.
A lobby is not difficult to do, because the horrible jetski-hits-swimmer accidents take place where childrem go to swim, and parents will naturally come to the angling side of the debate.
Remember many of the state authorities running the lakes are also parents or grandparents.
I enclose extracts from an Irish government debate on the legislation which illustrates just how little support jetski drivers have outside their own little circle.
Quote:
I wish to address the issue of the use of speedboats and jet skis in our coastal and inland waters. It is hard to find anybody who would speak up for jet ski users. Anybody who has the pleasure of spending a day at a popular beach or lakeside location will know the annoyance caused by noisy jet skis and the danger they pose to human life. ..... The problem might be cleared up by now but perhaps the Minister of State would clarify the matter when recapping on the Bill.
......Jet skis also have an environmental impact, particularly on fish and marine life. We have a large tourism sector in Ireland and fishing is very popular in my constituency in County Clare, especially in the inland lakes. The last thing we want to do is damage fishing stocks and marine life. Many jet skis leak diesel and oil, and that matter should be controlled. We do not want to send the wrong message to Irish and foreign tourists who use our waters. There is nothing of merit to say with regard to jet skis.
....The current position with regard to jet skis is unsatisfactory. Regulation of the use of jet skis varies under by-laws introduced by local authorities. .... providing ultimately for the forfeiture of craft and disqualification from use of offenders and providing also for implementation of the legislation by the Garda (Irish police)
....[/url]
There have been fatalities associated with jet skis and I hope the increased regulation in this area will minimise the likelihood of serious or fatal accidents in the future. The most high profile person to be involved in one of these accidents is the singer, Kirsty MacColl, who was killed by one of these crafts while swimming off the coast of Mexico. ...... Previous speakers spoke about the use of jet skis in foreign tourist resorts and the fact that areas are assigned for the use of jetskis off the coastline. In that way they do not interfere with swimmers and other holidaymakers.
....I have seen these craft operate, and young people take great delight in using them. They are macho craft for macho types who race across the coastline and back again at high speeds, not thinking of the dangers to themselves or others. .... We all know the impact of water at 60 miles per hour and the consequences that can result for the person on the jet ski or others. It is important that local authorities are given the power to control the use of jet skis and speedboats, whether on inland lakes or offshore.
UNQUOTE
As you see, they have virtually no friends. This might encourage you to contact your government representatives, request action before a death, etc..
[signature]
A little red patch is not sufficient for such idiots, it is the same type drive their cars into stationery objects in the early morning hours. Should a bridge or wall also have to have a flou patch?
It is a new problem, and here in Ireland for a while, restrictions on speed within certain distance from shore, and near swimming areas were tried, but too many young warrior types disregarded every such rule with their jetski. They seem to really enjoy "buzzing" youngster groups out for a day sailing in small sailing craft more than anything.
Now in Ireland we have had local authorities ban fast PWCs on many "fishing" lakes and they have now been coralled into fewer number of designated PWC lakes, where the only anglers will be in boats, and at the other end of the lake.
It took a big lobby by angling clubs to achieve the bans, but angling tourism as an industry and loss of earnings due to fishing tourists not returning to "race-track fisheries", finally got the laws passed.
My advice ...do not rely much on the visual protection given by a warning device like a fluo patch. It depends upon the oncoming driver actually looking where they are going.
Somebody (TD?) mentioned air horns ... I suspect they might work better, but the real cure is to agitate to get problem drivers removed.
A lobby is not difficult to do, because the horrible jetski-hits-swimmer accidents take place where childrem go to swim, and parents will naturally come to the angling side of the debate.
Remember many of the state authorities running the lakes are also parents or grandparents.
I enclose extracts from an Irish government debate on the legislation which illustrates just how little support jetski drivers have outside their own little circle.
Quote:
I wish to address the issue of the use of speedboats and jet skis in our coastal and inland waters. It is hard to find anybody who would speak up for jet ski users. Anybody who has the pleasure of spending a day at a popular beach or lakeside location will know the annoyance caused by noisy jet skis and the danger they pose to human life. ..... The problem might be cleared up by now but perhaps the Minister of State would clarify the matter when recapping on the Bill.
......Jet skis also have an environmental impact, particularly on fish and marine life. We have a large tourism sector in Ireland and fishing is very popular in my constituency in County Clare, especially in the inland lakes. The last thing we want to do is damage fishing stocks and marine life. Many jet skis leak diesel and oil, and that matter should be controlled. We do not want to send the wrong message to Irish and foreign tourists who use our waters. There is nothing of merit to say with regard to jet skis.
....The current position with regard to jet skis is unsatisfactory. Regulation of the use of jet skis varies under by-laws introduced by local authorities. .... providing ultimately for the forfeiture of craft and disqualification from use of offenders and providing also for implementation of the legislation by the Garda (Irish police)
....[/url]
There have been fatalities associated with jet skis and I hope the increased regulation in this area will minimise the likelihood of serious or fatal accidents in the future. The most high profile person to be involved in one of these accidents is the singer, Kirsty MacColl, who was killed by one of these crafts while swimming off the coast of Mexico. ...... Previous speakers spoke about the use of jet skis in foreign tourist resorts and the fact that areas are assigned for the use of jetskis off the coastline. In that way they do not interfere with swimmers and other holidaymakers.
....I have seen these craft operate, and young people take great delight in using them. They are macho craft for macho types who race across the coastline and back again at high speeds, not thinking of the dangers to themselves or others. .... We all know the impact of water at 60 miles per hour and the consequences that can result for the person on the jet ski or others. It is important that local authorities are given the power to control the use of jet skis and speedboats, whether on inland lakes or offshore.
UNQUOTE
As you see, they have virtually no friends. This might encourage you to contact your government representatives, request action before a death, etc..
[signature]