Crackdown on problem jet-skiers

Some jet-skiers have been causing a nuisance to other river users

Jet-skiers causing a nuisance to other users of the River Medway and the Thames Estuary are being targeted by Kent Police during the hot weather.

The force's marine patrol unit will be patrolling the waters after a minority of jet-skiers have been reported to be regularly ignoring safety rules.

Sgt Mark Wigston said they were behaving anti-socially on the water.

Noise, excess speed and annoyance to other craft were some of the complaints they had dealt with, he said.

Marine law

There are strict rules governing safety although it is not imperative for jet-skiers to wear life-jackets or carry flares.

However, a spokesman for Thames Coastguard said all users of pleasure craft were expected to conform to the regulations of the waterways in the same way that other vessels had to.

At a court hearing in Salisbury, Wiltshire, earlier this month, a 26-year-old jet-skier from Dorset was convicted of being "negligent in charge of a ship" after he nearly killed a man in a crash.

Judge Anthony Davies ruled that his machine was a ship under marine law.

Kent Police's marine team have been trained by the Royal Yachting Association so they can patrol rivers and the coast in rigid inflatable boats to tackle anti-social behaviour during the summer months.

Their mission is to advise people if they are behaving irresponsibly or dangerously on the water and, if necessary, enforce the law.