Jetski danger and petition

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Aug 2003, 17:52

A recent email from Lawrence Marshall highlights the concern among local people about the danger posed by jetskis off Portobello beach. It appears that some jetski owners have been illegally driving onto the Prom at the foot of Pitville Street and then down the old boat ramp onto the beach to get access to the sea. I don't have to tell you how dangerous this is with the Prom and beach area as busy as it is in this warm weather.

The other danger they pose is the fact that they are speeding up and down close to the water's edge while others are swimming in the area. I believe that there has already been one accident. The Police have received complaints and I personally recently reported the owner of a 4WD vehicle for exactly the same reasons.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 14 Aug 2003, 21:55

The following is the content of an email message sent to Lawrence Marshall recently by a local resident. It is reproduced in its entirety with the permission of the author, who wishes to remain anonymous. I am sure that many will share the sentiments expressed.

Dear Lawrence

I am emailing you to express my deep concern at the use of Portobello beach by Jetskis. You have always been very helpful with my concerns in the past and I hope you can help in this matter as well.

Portobello has become very popular with Jetski riders over the last few years. Each year we see more of these machines tearing up and down the shoreline, often as close as a couple of meters or less from the sand. They travel extremely fast and I believe that they present a very real danger to swimmers, particularly young children whose heads may not be clearly visible above the water. I frequently see speeding Jetskis inbetween young swimmers and the shore. I feel it is only a matter of time before a fatality occurs. Local police have also expressed their concern but are unable to stop the Jetskis as their use of Portobello beach is not prohibited.

In addition, the owners take their Jetskis down to the shoreline by towing them behind vehicles, usually large 4-wheel drives. The drivers often manoeuvre through the tourists on the sand in order to do this. An incident was reported to the Police on 7th August (incident no. 739) where the vehicle had entered the sand by Portobello swimming baths on a particularly hot afternoon and driven fast through the crowds to drop off a Jetski before returning at a dangerous speed to the road. The police were able to speak to the owner of the vehicle about his driving but did not take it any further as there are apparently no restrictions on taking vehicles onto the beach.

I also believe that the Jetskis have a negative impact on the attractiveness of Portobello beach to tourists. Once a Jetski is speeding in the shallow water parents are forced to call their children out of the sea for their safety. The noise of these machines is extremely loud, similar to that of a high powered motorbike which is far from relaxing for those wishing to enjoy the beach. Considering the amount of money being spent on making Portobello more attractive to tourists it seems counter-productive to allow a few "boys and their toys" to spoil the tourists enjoyment of the beach and undo all the Council's good work.

I feel strongly that something must be done before the inevitable accident occurs. Somebody in a position of authority (presumably within the Council) must propose either a complete ban of Jetskis in the water off Portobello beach, or at the very least restrict their use to a safe (for swimmers) distance from the shore. The driving of vehicles, other than Council vehicles should also be restricted on the sands where children are playing.

I hope you can provide some assistance in this matter and look forward to your reply.

Carol · Post by **Carol** » 17 Aug 2003, 22:55

Something else about Jet Ski's.

A few years ago, I was at my front room window looking out to sea through a telescope. I saw a Jet Ski smash its way through a raft of eider ducks, leaving them flapping around in a terrible state. I watched the adults searching and gathering back as many of the scattered chicks as they could find. Shortly after that, the Jet Ski returned and went right through the whole lot of them again. If they weren't killed they were almost frightened to death. I felt too upset to watch any more and could still hear them screaching and screaming long after the Jet Ski had gone. These ducks thought they were safe there, a good distance back from the shoreline.

A couple of months ago, a puffin was washed up on the beach. I'll never know who or what was responsible for its early death but the Jet Ski's were there the evening before and I noticed them travelling far out in the direction of the island - Inchkeith (Puffin Territory). I think that puffin was hit by a Jet Ski.

It would be much better for beach people and birds if the Jet Ski's were not allowed near the beach or sea during spring, summer and autumn. That covers the breeding season. It is also when the beach is busiest with people and events.

Jet Ski's are disturbers of the peace for all the reasons we already know about. They already kill sea birds and it probably won't be that long until they have "notched up" a human being as well.

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 29 Jul 2005, 19:29

Best of luck to the author of the letter. I contacted the councillor, MP, SMP and environmental health for more or less the same issues about three years ago. A number of suggestions were made like Susan Decon recommending the police talk to the jet ski drivers and ask them not to use there machines to near the shore. The community police rep was to talk to them re acceptable conduct etc. Environmental health were power less at that time to do any thing and the access at king's Road could not be shut of as the council needed this access for there own vehicles, tractor etc. Any way the up shot is nothing has changed and in fact has got much much worse. No one seamed to care enough to do any thing and all the promises remained just promises.
Wish you luck and hope you have more success than I was.
Maureen.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 29 Jul 2005, 19:35

Maureen - good news, take a look at the Golden Balls thread down below..........

Been on your hols? If so, hope you had a great time - good to have you back!

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 29 Jul 2005, 21:57

Yes poppy been away to the tranquil Perthshire aria. Fab the only noise was cows mooing and sheep baaing. Absolutely bliss. Nice to be back though can only put up with bliss for so long. Hope the golden ball is to do with the jet skis.
Mo

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 11 Sep 2005, 17:09

Well unfortunately the jet skiiers don't seem to give a stuff about the buoys as we saw one lot skiing inside them. When we spoke to them about it they denied it! Then they said they are allegedly allowed to ski as close to the beach as they like at the Joppa Pans end of the beach, which effectively makes that part of the beach a no-go area for swimmers. Another party of jet-skiiers had their 4X4 parked on the beach in front of the swimming baths. I see an accident happening very soon.

And don't get me started about the noise! The prom is the one place in Porty you can get away from traffic noise but not any more. I think I will follow some jet-skiiers home and rev an engine outside their house for a few hours one night.

Anyone know exactly what the rules are and who is responsible for enforcing them?

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 11 Sep 2005, 20:39

The jet skiers from my observation (about 6yr or so) don't give a toss about any one or any thing. How ever why should they as no one in authority gives a toss about them. There are no buoys at the kings Road end. Obviously it doesn't matter if the bathers are in danger at the King's Road end or that that they are effectively only about 500 yards from tenements. Some how the noise is not meant to be bothersome at this end of the beach. I would definitely be game for disturbing the peace of the jet skies by revving my car engine for 7 of 8 hr solid, but some how I don't think we would get away with it as the police would probably intervene. Still the thought has kept me going for years.
Mo

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 11 Sep 2005, 22:00

I regularly kayak on the sea front and at times have taken my life in my hands as the jet skis zip about and can't see the kayak because of the spray they create. I had to wave my paddle in the air to draw their attention to me as they sped past, quite close to shore. I hate the bloody things!

On another note, this morning, whilst I was gently drifting along, I was joined by 3 seals.

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 12 Sep 2005, 01:04

I use to look out my window and love to seeing kayaks, cannons, sail boats, horse being exercised, wind surfers, people flying kites and children enjoying them self but not for a long time. Now I hear then see jet skis, mine hover crafts motor bikes and cars being driven at high speed up and down the prom. This seams to be expectable. It's like the residents don't have any rights. I use to call the Police but that was just a waste of my time and an unnecessary expense on my phone bill. Mo

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 12 Sep 2005, 18:56

Granty said

On another note, this morning, whilst I was gently drifting along, I was joined by 3 seals.

That must have ben wonderful!

Dc and Mo, I agree with your both entirely, and think what it's like for me and other neighbours - we have to endure the racket before during AND after a jetski 'session' as some of the jetskiers live close by.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 12 Sep 2005, 19:12

I hadn't been along at the King's Road end for ages until last week when we walked along to the Dog & Cat Home. Apart from 3 4x4s parked right on the sand unloading their jetskis, there were cars parked pretty far along past the pub and also a car quite happily speeding right along from the far end, past the D&C Home. This is surely not on? Lawrence - any comments?

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 12 Sep 2005, 19:19

Poppy and Mo, you both have my sympathies. I live 1/2 mile away from the beach and still hear it in my garden (and inside sometimes) so it must be terrible for you. I don't think the jet skiiers should be allowed anywhere near swimmers, canoeists, etc or near where people live. A better place for them would be behind the Dog and Cat home where there will be less chance of them injuring somone or disturbing residents' peace.

I have e-mailed Lawrence and Maureen about this and will bring it up at the next Community Council meeting. Maybe a few letters would help put some pressure on them to do something to improve the situation.

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 12 Sep 2005, 21:20

The jet skies and speed boats seem to be a seasonal problem. Hopefully by the end of this month there will be none as they don't do cold weather and obviously can't manage there machines in challenging seas. They just go up and down on very calm water. I very much agree that they need to be located away from Portobello. I suspect they are only here as they can drive the 4 x 4 and vans on to the beach. There are more and more jet skis, as the years go on. They are relatively cheep and you don't have to have a licence plus I wouldn't think they have any kind on insurance. The council perhaps needs to look at nominating and providing access to these people at specified non resident aria Leith, Granton,
Silverknows Cramond, what ever but I believe we should be reclaiming our beach.
The beach will do quite over the winter and as a consequence the subject will be forgotten until next year. Unless we make this year is different.

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 12 Sep 2005, 22:20

Yes, I think we should make this year different and try and get something worked out before next summer.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 12 Sep 2005, 22:34

join the debate ...it's ubiquitous

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Sep 2005, 06:22

An email I was copied into earlier in the year on this subject:

Dear Mr McBrierty

I represent a local triathlon and swimming club in Edinburgh (the Edinburgh Road Club) and for the past three years I have been responsible for our clubs open-water swimming sessions which we have been holding on a weekly basis at Portobello. I am also involved in the Portobello Triathlon which this year will be held on the 14th of August.

As we approach the summer months our weekly swimming sessions at Portobello become more and more popular. Due to the number of swimmers our sessions are starting to attract, and with some of the problems which we had last year with Jet ski's in the same area, I am now trying to review the potential safety hazards.

Jet skis have over the last few years become a relativley common site at Portobello and from experience they find it very hard to see swimmers in the water especially if the suface is not very still. Part of the enjoyment of Jet skis seems to be operating the vehicle at speed in an area where the waves are breaking or when there is a swell in the sea. These are exactly the conditions which it is hardest to see swimmers.

As part of our investigation our club became aware of a Forth Ports memo indicating a swimming area would be marked/reserved at Portobello to reduce the potential hazard of a swimmer being hit by a jet-ski or similar vehicle.

This seems like an excellent idea however such buoys were not placed last year and I would like to enquire if such plans will be implemented this year.

In addition I would like to request that the area suggested for marking be increased or moved to include the area of the beach EAST of the Portobello Baths. The area EAST of the baths is far more common and pleasant for swimming due to the nature of the sea-bed which is more rock based than mud/clay and results in far clearer water. Also I would suggest that the marker bouys be placed at least 200m from the end of the Groins to give a safe area for swimmers to be separate from boats, windsurfers and jet-skis.

Your Sincerely
Bruce Kidd
(edinburgh road club)
29 adelphi place
portobello
edinburgh
eh15 1bg

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Sep 2005, 13:33

From Maureen Child's most recent report to the Community Council:

It is very concerning to hear reports of people using jet skis inside the prescribed ring of buoys which we had put there as a result of concerns put to me and Councillor Lawrence Marshall last year. There is a thread on the Portobello Online discussion forum at http://porty.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93 I am aware of what has been happening and have been in discussion again this year with the police and the other authorities. They are all doing their best to get on top of this problem for us. It's not unique to this part of the world.

The Council arranged for the marker buoys at Portobello and will have to work with their partners, like the Ports Authority, to ensure they all get put out in time for next year's season. The Council's culture and leisure department had bought 20 marker buoys this year but only 6 were installed. The Council also made up signs to show the area for swimmers. They have arranged a meeting to get better co-ordination for next year so everyone is really sure who is doing what and when.

The police have been helping patrol on the sea and land. I have asked the head of environmental health if we could use the new noise legislation to curb the jet skiers, but that is to deal with noise coming from domestic premises. He promises me to put his thinking cap on and see if there is other legislation that we could use to enforce safety measures. The local Police Inspector, Norman Ward tells me that the police marine unit are also taking what action they can and they patrol regularly in the Forth Estuary. The legislation which they use in Strathclyde is 'breach of the peace', but they have to catch them first.

We have done some things so far, but it's obviously not enough to combat the actions of some very silly, irresponsible individuals who can have no real concern for the peace and safety of others.

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 30 Sep 2005, 22:17

Thanks for that Bob; I hope this extends as far as King's Road. As the majority of the jet skis get access there. It would certainly not have been hard to have found jet skier there as they were there most of the summer.
Keep us posted.
Maureen.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » 01 Oct 2005, 14:24

There is also the environmental issue associated with these machines.They do look great fun, but with no regard for others-human or animal, the owners/users have the combined brain capacity of a gnat.

The fuel it releases directly into the water is something along the lines of 100 times more harmful to the environment as say, a motorbike.

DG · Post by DG » 01 Oct 2005, 14:51

Agree entirely with you on this, Franck.

The last time we went camping at Loch Lomond we were supprised and irritated by the amount of jet skiing that is allowed there in a national park. The noise and environmental pollution has to be taken seriously.

DG

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Oct 2005, 18:15

Update from Brian Sibbald, CEC Public Safety Manager:

At a meeting today on various public safety issues I mentioned to a Chief Inspector of Police the problem being experienced with Jet skiers. His view was that Scottish Law allowed a charge of "Culpable and Reckless Conduct" to be brought against them and that this had been used in other areas of the country in exactly this situation. They could also be the subject of an ASBO.

He will contact the Forces Maritime Unit and discuss the situation and come back to me with the outcome and I will keep you updated.

Regards
Brian

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 28 Oct 2005, 16:17

The jet ski issue is on the agenda of the next Community Council meeting on Monday 31 October at 7.30 pm in the Portobello Baptist church hall (on the High St, next to the Portobello Bar).

The meeting is open to all so I hope that the people who are bothered by the noise nuisance and health and safety issues with jet skis will come along to put forward their ideas and opinions on how we can deal with this problem.

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 31 Oct 2005, 12:28

Just another reminder that jet ski nuisance will be on the agenda at tonight's Community Council meeting. See details above.

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 08 Nov 2005, 00:44

Can any one feed back what was discussed at the community council meeting with regards the jet skis?
Maureen

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 08 Nov 2005, 10:48

maureen mclaughlin wrote:Can any one feed back what was discussed at the community council meeting with regards the jet skis?
Maureen

My memory is atrocious these days if I don't take notes Maureen so please forgive me if I get anything wrong.

I think it went something along the lines of everyone agreeing that they were a problem/danger. Noise abatement legislation can't be used as it has to be a recurrent problem with the same individual. Inspector Ward said that there seemed to be little that the Police could do and that this was a common problem across Scottish forces. Think he mentioned that Police in Saltcoats (?) had used the offence of 'Breach of the Peace' to deal with some problem jet skiers there. He did say he would act if vehicles drove onto the sand.

There was discussion as to whether vehicles could be stopped from off loading down at the King's Road end and there was a suggestion that the Council could put up notices requesting folk not to use the beach for this purpose. Think Lawrence Marshall is checking this out? However, it was pointed out that the jet skiers can enter the water at various other points along the waterfront and still cause a problem at Portobello so this is not a real solution to the problem.

Think there is now a move by the Community Council to petition the Scottish Executive on the matter.

dc/Bob/Epykat is your recall any better?

maureen mclaughlin · Post by **maureen mclaughlin** » 08 Nov 2005, 12:42

Thanks for that Marya.
Maureen.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Nov 2005, 12:43

I think that is a fair summary. Breach of the peace is always a good catch-all charge for a whole variety of situations.

With the approach of winter it is unlikely that jet skiers are going to be much of a problem until next Spring. Once they start up again though, I think we should be ready for them. I would suggest that Maureen, dc and anyone else who is concerned with this problem should get together and organise a meeting with the Inspector to discuss the best way of dealing with it. Logging incidents, making a complaint each time, ensuring you have a witness - it all helps the police to justify taking action.

If they get enough hassle, eventually the jet skiers will get fed up and find somewhere else to play.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 19 Nov 2005, 22:07

Happened to mention the problem we have with jet-skiers to my brother-in-law, who is a retired lawyer and a keen yachtsman. He showed me an interesting article on this topic in a recent edition of a sailing magazine.

The article mentioned a court case from July this year when Mark Goodwin, a jet-skier, was sentenced to 6 months in jail after colliding with another jet-skier in May of last year.

In a landmark case, the judge classed the jet-ski as a 'vessel' and Mr Goodwin as 'master of the ship' allowing him to be prosecuted under the Merchant Shipping Act. The judge said the sentence was 'to deter others from driving in an irresponsible manner'.

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 23 Apr 2006, 17:00

At 10.30 this morning, I was out in my kayak, enjoying the peace and tranquility on the Porty sea front. By chance, I met up with another kayaker and we were later joined by some triathalon swimmers. All of us exchanged pleasant conversation and quietly shared the water.

By 4.30pm, it was a very different story. There were at least 4 jet skiis droning up and down the water, 1 quad bike zooming about the sand and another off road motorbike taking advantage of the fact the tide was out, to rip along the beach from Kings Road to Bellfield St, alarming kids, dogs and everyone else who was otherwise enjoying a nice day.

It's only a matter of time before there's an accident.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 23 Apr 2006, 17:10

I know, Granty, it's a crying shame that these numpties* have come out of wherever they skulk the rest of the year! You said "It's only a matter of time before there's an accident" and of course it won't be Them who gets hurt.

*Just as well there is profanity filter on this site!

And what happened to the Golden Balls? I'm afraid I did not notice they were gone until today

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 23 Apr 2006, 19:56

It's the sun. After a lovely stroll along the Prom this am (saw you Granty and the swimmers - obviously didn't know it was you at the time!) we got back for a nice cuppa in the garden - only for our thoughtful and much loved neighbours to dust off their ghetto blaster and give us 4 hours of such gems as "The Twelfth of Never"

. Thankfully it wasn't quite warm enough for them to bring out the krakatoke machine but I'm sure we won't be disappointed as the weather gets better.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 May 2006, 20:24

From Lawrence Marshall:

Dear All

Fed up with the constant drone of jet skis in the summer? Fearful of an accident happening? Want to do something about it?

... well, you could do worse than sign this petition now up and running - courtesy of Diana Cairns on behalf of Portobello Community Council - on the Scottish Parliament's website.

I've taken a leaf out of Tony Blair's book and have just signed it myself!

The petition can be found here:

Jet Ski Petition

Post by **wangi** » 15 May 2006, 22:09

Petition by Diana Cairns, on behalf of Portobello Community Council, calling for the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to consider how best to restrict the use of jet-skis in the vicinity of public beaches.

What's a public beach?

Post by **wangi** » 16 May 2006, 17:32

Rules of the road - other things to consider

Even if there are no signs up, most beaches in the UK have a by-law restricting all powered craft to stay below six knots within 100 meters of the low water mark. This is up to 200 metres in some places. Just use some common sense: If there are swimmers in the water or people on the beach, show them a bit of respect and stay well away from the beach before larging it.[/url]

http://webjcli.ncl.ac.uk/2006/issue2/rtf/grant2.rtf
The common law of Scotland provides an offence of reckless endangerment

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Jetski danger and petition

Jetski danger and petition

Another Jet Ski Problem

JET SKI DANGER

Jet Skiis and other vehicles!