P-06-1213 Ban leisure use of Seadoo/jet ski in Cymru. Except in strictly controlled designated areas, Correspondence – Petitioner to Committee, 10.02.23

Dear Petitions Chair & committee,

Many thanks for giving me the opportunity to comment on https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reckless-jet-skiers-to-face-prison-and-unlimited-fines-thanks-to-law-change

I’m encouraged by the movement towards legislation that will control reckless use of Jet Skis. However, I would hope & expect that the provisions in Cymru will not be constrained if the U.K. provision is faulty or ineffective. 

For instance, compulsory identification of all Jet skis is not mentioned. It seems that  without legislation in this area, it will be very difficult to identify miscreants. 

Also, the proposals only seem to focus on jet skis offering a risk or danger to people. In Cymru, there should be  far more consideration of protection for our wildlife, particularly interfering with seabirds etc. 

JetSkis should also be required to perform below a certain noise level as noise pollution is now recognised as a serious problem for all  sea life, particularly mammals. Many technical developments are available to reduce the extreme  noise pollution, emitted by the vehicles and legislation should ensure that users/owners of JetSkis commission such advances.  

The legislation doesn’t seem to differentiate between ‘user’ & ‘owner’ when liability for misuse is enforced.  Surely this legislation should be enforced against both, when appropriate and I believe that both would be liable in most instances. Both using & owning should carry distinct and enforceable rules & penalties. 

I am still concerned that whilst proposals to  restrict the ‘anything goes’ paradigm that currently exists for Jet skis in Cymru, are to be very much welcomed, unless the legislation is policed properly, it will be of little advantage to wildlife & the safety of the public. 

I believe this is a devolved issue & as such the Senedd should introduce its own legislation to ensure U.K. government cannot overrule our provisions. 

Again, many thanks for this opportunity to address the Petitions Committee.

Diolch a chofion, 

Richard Jenkins MSc.Dip.M