Jet ski operators putting lives at risk, coast guard service warns

Jet ski operators, who drive at excessive speed on Lough Derg, are putting the lives of swimmers at risk, Killaloe Coast Guard has warned.

Killaloe Coast Guard was tasked to assist local gardai deal with jet skis being operated at dangerous speeds near Killaloe Bridge on Monday and Tuesday.

A number of vessels were requested to return to the relevant slipways and the owners were spoken to by Gardai.

A Coast Guard spokesman told The Clare Champion that some jet ski operators were driving at speed of up to 60 kilometres an hour near Killaloe Bridge in a speed limit area of about five kilometres.

He said some jet skis were doing “doughnuts”, which is akin to doing a handbrake turn on the water, which in turn creates a backwash that causes issues for boats being knocked against jetties, and for swimmers.

During periods of hot weather, he said large numbers of young teenagers are congregating and swimmers dive off the pontoon on the Ballina side of the bridge near the Washerwoman’s Bridge.

If a jet ski operator driving at high speed lost control near this pontoon, he warned the implications could be disastrous, resulting in serious injury or loss or life.

The Coast Guard can advise any jet ski operator who is driving too fast to return to the slipway where Killaloe Gardaí have the power to take appropriate action if necessary.

Following a conversation with Coast Guard members, a group of young men who were with the jet ski driver left the area.

Killaloe Coast Guard have been called out to to assist local gardai deal with jet skis being operated at excessive speeds four times in as many weeks this year – the same number of callouts dealing with this issue for all of 2021.

The Coast Guard had to deal with three different jet ski operators between Killaloe and Two Mile Gate on Monday and one on Tuesday.

Gardai have the power to confiscate a speed boat if the operator is drunk in charge of a vessel.

Concern has also been expressed by residents about teenagers who are jumping off Killaloe Bridge into the lake during warm weather.

Inspector Michelle Moloney from Killaloe Gardai proposed a canopy similar to the one that was constructed in O’Brien’s Bridge could be added to the side of Killaloe Bridge to stop teenagers from the unsafe practice of jumping off the bridge. Inspector Moloney said this new structure could be designed aesthetically not to take away from the overall look of the bridge.

Commenting on some jet ski operators who were causing a nuisance on the lake, she said gardai can direct the operators of any vessel off of the water and can seize a vessel if this is deemed appropriate action.

“People are very welcome to visit Killaloe and Ballina once they are respectful to other water users and people in the area. I would appeal to people using the lake to be respectful of others and obey the relevant speed limits.

“I would appeal to people to mind themselves and those around them and not to take chances, particularly on or near the water.”

Under Section Eight of the 2005 Maritime Act, the gardai can cease the operation of a craft or remove any vessel if they are deemed to be a risk or danger to persons, or property or a serious nuisance to persons, in, on or adjacent to the waters, or are a risk of damage to or interference with a natural heritage area or a monument or wreck protected under the National Monuments Acts.

A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement under this act is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000.

Under Section Nine of the Act, the gardai can seize and detain a craft if they are have reasonable grounds for believing a person has committed an offence under the act in the interest of safety of persons or property in or on the waters concerned or to stop any nuisance to persons.

The Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft provides best practice safety information for those who own and use pleasure and recreational craft operating in Irish coastal and inland waters.

It advises pleasure boat users to observe designated speed limits, particularly on passage through anchorages, marina approaches and areas used by swimmers;

It advises operators to be aware of the wash generated by their boat, in particular when close to or passing other vessels.

If anyone sees any person acting in a dangerous manner on Lough Derg and other waterways, they are advised to ring 999 and request the Coast Guard.

More information on the code of practice is available on gove.ie under Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft