Peel Ports gets tough on dangerous boaters

Peel Ports have issued the following statement: “On the 26th of April 2020 a water craft collided with another vessel causing it to sink and causing serious injury to one of the occupants. Police attended the scene and the defendant was breathalysed and found to have a levels of alcohol in his system exceeding the amount permissible for driving a vehicle on the road, resulting in his arrest. The injured party maintained that the defendant had been performing ‘doughnut’ turns around her vessel but had lost control of his vessel causing it to collide with hers.

“The Port of Sheerness Ltd brought prosecution proceedings against the defendant pursuant to the Port Byelaws alleging that the defendant had failed to navigate his vessel with the requisite level of care and that he had been in charge of his vessel whilst unfit by reason of drink, contrary to byelaws 22 and 33 respectively. The defendant was summoned to appear before magistrates sitting at Medway on the 10th of December 2020. At this hearing the defendant pleaded guilty to both allegations and was ordered to pay fines, compensation and costs totalling £3,950.”

UPDATE: The “water craft” referred to in the Peel Ports Notice was a small motor cruiser, not a PWC (jet ski). The other vessel was a dinghy.

4 thoughts on “Peel Ports gets tough on dangerous boaters”

  1. Who is responsible to ensure crafts are travelling between the buoys?
    Jet skis & hovercrafts treat the rivers banks are their play area!

    1. I don’t believe there is any requirement for craft to stay between the lateral buoys, though it would be sensible for large craft to do so. If anything, the harbour authority prefers small craft to keep out of the fairway when there are big ships around. Also sailing vessels often need to tack across the wind which means they may have to go from one side of the river to the other, then back again. This is normal and powered vessels need to give way to them according to the ColRegs, unless they are constrained by draught etc.

  2. How about licensing for jet skiers/ power boaters etc.
    It’s goes against the grain but something has to be done.
    When did you ever see jet skies being used more than 3-400 metres off shore? They seem to bring out the exhibitionist in their users.
    Hefty fines and/or confiscation would be a deterrent.

Leave a Reply to admiral Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *