There is no difference between vehicles and engines used on public roads and jet skis used at sea. Both serve the purposes of transportation and recreation, and both can result in the loss of human or animal life. In addition, both can cause environmental harm and pollution. H o w e v e r , the laws governing road vehicles are much stricter and more comprehensive than those regulating jet skis. Unlike road transport, there are no unified international laws specifically governing jet skis. Their use is instead regulated under maritime navigation laws and the individual regulations of each country. Most countries require jet ski users to comply with all or most of the following regulations:
■ The operator and any passengers must wear life jackets
■ Children are prohibited from riding them, whether with the operator or otherwise
■ The minimum age for operating jet skis is 18, as they can be hazardous and potentially deadly.
■ Jet skis must not be used outside daylight hours
■ Operators must maintain a distance of several hundred meters from public beaches and designated swimming areas
■ They must not approach ships or other watercraft
■ They must not perform stunts or engage in dangerous racing
■ Jet skis must be registered with a government authority and display a clearly visible identification number on both sides. Their licensing is generally treated similarly to that of small boats.
■ Users must comply with Coast Guard regulations and guidelines.
■ Their use should be prohibited in areas where fish, turtles, dolphins, and other endangered species breed.
■ Clear regulations governing their use must be established
■ Any jet skis modified to increase engine noise or produce excessive and disturbing sound levels should be confiscated. Although some of these regulations exist, enforcement remains weak.
Several accidents have occurred, including one involving a former Speaker of Parliament. The risk of jet skis colliding with beachgoers is significant due to their high speed, the difficulty of controlling such powerful machines, and the absence of designated lanes, unlike on roads. The relevant authorities, whether the Coast Guard or the Environment Public Authority (EPA), should establish a dedicated hotline for receiving citizens’ complaints, in addition to existing applications, which many people find difficult to use when reporting violations related to misuse or marine pollution caused by oil spills.
The EPA Hotline No. 157 and the No. 92222157 are reportedly unresponsive, and I have tried calling them without success. This government agency (EPA) is often criticized for a lack of seriousness in carrying out its responsibilities.
As a result, we have no option but to appeal to the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to help rectify this situation. Some individuals only respond to strict enforcement measures, such as fines, confiscation of equipment, and even detention of offenders.
Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
