Slow down! Jet skiers warned about speeding in Jersey’s waters

  • With warm weather finally here, jet skiers are being reminded not to speed in Jersey’s waters
  • There were reports that some jet skiers were breaking the five-knot limit last week while near the shore
  • Anyone caught speeding faces a fine of up to £2,000
  • Should jet ski users have to take a driving test? Take part in our poll below

JET skiers are being warned that they could be fined up to £2,000 if they are caught speeding around the Island’s coast.

Jersey Coastguard issued the warning following a number of reports last week that jet skiers were breaking the five-knot limit, which applies to all craft operating within 200 metres of the shoreline.

The alleged incidents happened in St Aubin’s Bay and St Ouen’s Bay.

Harbourmaster Captain Phil Buckley, said: ‘We had three or four complaints only last week. While we do welcome the warm weather and favourable sea conditions, we would like to remind Islanders that we do have legislation in place restricting certain areas for jet ski operations.

RNLI lifeguards use jet skis as part of their rescue equipment

‘A five-knot speed limit exists in all bays up to 200 metres from the water’s edge, and the launching of craft is prohibited between safe swimming flags. Currently, anyone in breach of these laws can be fined up to £2,000.’

Capt Buckley added: ‘If you are on a jet ski and are travelling at high speed, it is possible that you may not spot someone swimming or snorkelling, and cause a serious injury.

‘We are just trying to segregate the activities – that way, it’s a lot safer. We just want everyone to keep a careful look-out for each other.’

Tony Barraclough on his jet ski with his daughter Sophie

A jet-skier rescued a four-year-old girl who was swept half a mile out to sea last summer. Tony Barraclough intervened when Jemima Chambers floated out to sea at Rozel without her mother, Rebecca, noticing.

Mr Barraclough jumped to the rescue and went to bring Jemima back to shore. She wrote him a poem as a way of saying thank you.

Jemima Chambers was rescued by jet ski

Mr Barraclough, who has been a pilot for 32 years and currently flies for Virgin Atlantic, said: ‘It’s funny because I said to my wife about two or three weeks before that wouldn’t it be nice if I could justify all the fuel I burn when I’m out there by saving someone,’ he said.

Asked if he could now be nicknamed the ‘Batman of the Seas’ – who seeks out Islanders in distress and rescues them – Mr Barraclough, who was born in Kuwait and now lives in Trinity, laughed off the acclaim and said the incident was not a big deal.

‘I was about to put my jet ski back on the trailer when I heard cries of “Where is she? Where is she? Where is Jemima?” That’s when my ears pricked up,’ he said.

‘She was right out to sea, I could make out faintly what looked like a head, though it could well have been just a lobster pot. ‘I said to her mother, “hang on, it’ll be fine” and jumped on my jet ski and went out to her.

‘I remember looking down at her and thinking she was so vulnerable. She looked back and said: “It’s okay, I’ve got my life jacket on.”

‘I tried to keep the situation light and said to her: “You’re on your way to France without your passport.”‘ Mr Barraclough says that he doesn’t consider himself a hero and hopes that had it been his daughter in the same situation, someone would have been on hand to help her too.

‘The girl was absolutely oblivious to the danger she was in,’ he said.

‘With the currents she was moving at a couple of knots and it wouldn’t have taken long before she was round the corner.’

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