Jet skis are an enjoyable form of outdoor entertainment for many people, and one can indeed see the attraction of racing out on open water, riding waves and maybe doing various tricks. At the same time jet skis make a lot of noise and because they are often used on lakes and rivers where people go to enjoy the scenery and the wildlife, conflicts of interest arise. Its not much fun going for a picnic along a quiet river or lake only to find a dozen jet skis noisily churning the water and putting the wildlife to flight!
Recently we have seen an increase of Jet Ski use along the river Boyne, and now on the Castletown River in Dundalk. In both locations jet skis were observed speeding and creating significant wake, turning in tight circles, and disturbing wildlife, in particular wild birds that use the two areas for nesting. At Dundalk docks the flock of 40 odd mute swans nest in the salt marsh just adjacent to the quay wall, along with mallard and other species. The area is used by dozens of species for feeding and roosting. The use of Jet Skis in this area should therefore be in strict compliance with the Irish Jet Ski code of conduct. Specifically the item that states: “Do not exceed 5 knots within 200m of a jetty, bridge, and wharf or with 100m of a moored craft or bathing area” and “Never harass or chase wildlife“. The code of conduct also suggests, “If you see any PWC rider acting irresponsibly, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Gardai.“
Recently we have seen an increase of Jet Ski use along the river Boyne, and now on the Castletown River in Dundalk. In both locations jet skis were observed speeding and creating significant wake, turning in tight circles, and disturbing wildlife, in particular wild birds that use the two areas for nesting. At Dundalk docks the flock of 40 odd mute swans nest in the salt marsh just adjacent to the quay wall, along with mallard and other species. The area is used by dozens of species for feeding and roosting. The use of Jet Skis in this area should therefore be in strict compliance with the Irish Jet Ski code of conduct. Specifically the item that states: “Do not exceed 5 knots within 200m of a jetty, bridge, and wharf or with 100m of a moored craft or bathing area” and “Never harass or chase wildlife“. The code of conduct also suggests, “If you see any PWC rider acting irresponsibly, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Gardai.“
The areas in question on the Boye and on the Castletown are highly sensitive areas for wildlife, being protected by both national and EU legislation (being SAC, SPA and NHAs). Clearly the entire length of the Boyne inside County Louth and beyond is protected and jet skis should, along with all other watercraft, limit their speed to less than 5 knots. Equally in that part of the Castletown that runs through Dundalk as far as Bellurgan should be have a 5-knot speed limit. The code of conduct is however only a guideline and stronger rules may be needed.
Inland waterways in Ireland are subject to a patchwork of regulations but the pertinent legislation in the context of the Boyne and Castletown are as follows:
1. It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to disturb any bird or other protected wildlife. Generally the NPWS enforce this along with the Gardai.
2. Both port areas are also regulated by their respective Harbour Masters who enforce appropriate speed limits, nominally 5 knots.
Dundalk Harbour Master: 042 9334096
Drogheda Harbour Master: 041 983 8378 http://www.droghedaport.ie/
Inland waterways in Ireland are subject to a patchwork of regulations but the pertinent legislation in the context of the Boyne and Castletown are as follows:
1. It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to disturb any bird or other protected wildlife. Generally the NPWS enforce this along with the Gardai.
2. Both port areas are also regulated by their respective Harbour Masters who enforce appropriate speed limits, nominally 5 knots.
Dundalk Harbour Master: 042 9334096
Drogheda Harbour Master: 041 983 8378 http://www.droghedaport.ie/
The Inland Waterways of Ireland may also be helpful for advice but if people do not respect the code of conduct (and to date compliance is not good) it is tough for the Harbour Master, Gardai or NPWS to enforce the law.
As a consequence the best long-term solution to this growing problem is the passage of Council Bye-Laws. This solution has been successfully adopted by many other local authorities, notably nearby progressive Fingal . The regulatory basis for this is the fact that the Marine Safety Act of 2005 (see below) empowers local authorities to enact these byelaws. Hopefully Louth’s local authorities will take action soon, before the issue become a major problem.
“6.—(1) Bye-laws may be made regulating or controlling the operation of craft or craft of a specified class by—
(a) a local authority, in waters in its functional area, other than waters referred to in paragraph (b) (except where the harbour authority concerned agrees) or paragraph (c),
(b) a harbour authority, in or on waters under its control or management, or
(c) Waterways Ireland, in or on waters under its control or management,
in respect of any or all of the following matters—
(i) the prohibition or restriction in the waters or such part of the waters specified in the bye-laws of the operation generally or for any particular purpose of craft or specified classes of craft in such places or at such times (if any) or for such periods (if any) as specified in the bye-laws—
(I) in the interests of the safety of persons using the waters generally or at certain times,
(II) to prevent nuisance to or injury to persons or damage to watercraft or other property on the waters, or
(III) subject to subsection (7), to protect—
(A) a natural heritage area, or
(B) a monument or wreck protected under the National Monuments Acts,
(ii) matters relating to launching, mooring or berthing craft,
(iii) conditions to be observed by operators of craft with regard to the waters or the adjacent area in which craft are used or launched, or (iv) maximum speed limits at which craft may be operated.”
As a consequence the best long-term solution to this growing problem is the passage of Council Bye-Laws. This solution has been successfully adopted by many other local authorities, notably nearby progressive Fingal . The regulatory basis for this is the fact that the Marine Safety Act of 2005 (see below) empowers local authorities to enact these byelaws. Hopefully Louth’s local authorities will take action soon, before the issue become a major problem.
“6.—(1) Bye-laws may be made regulating or controlling the operation of craft or craft of a specified class by—
(a) a local authority, in waters in its functional area, other than waters referred to in paragraph (b) (except where the harbour authority concerned agrees) or paragraph (c),
(b) a harbour authority, in or on waters under its control or management, or
(c) Waterways Ireland, in or on waters under its control or management,
in respect of any or all of the following matters—
(i) the prohibition or restriction in the waters or such part of the waters specified in the bye-laws of the operation generally or for any particular purpose of craft or specified classes of craft in such places or at such times (if any) or for such periods (if any) as specified in the bye-laws—
(I) in the interests of the safety of persons using the waters generally or at certain times,
(II) to prevent nuisance to or injury to persons or damage to watercraft or other property on the waters, or
(III) subject to subsection (7), to protect—
(A) a natural heritage area, or
(B) a monument or wreck protected under the National Monuments Acts,
(ii) matters relating to launching, mooring or berthing craft,
(iii) conditions to be observed by operators of craft with regard to the waters or the adjacent area in which craft are used or launched, or (iv) maximum speed limits at which craft may be operated.”
