Jetski danger and petition

by **Guest** » 13 Aug 2003, 17:52

A recent email from Lawrence Marshall highlights the concern among local people about the danger posed by jetskis off Portobello beach. It appears that some jetski owners have been illegally driving onto the Prom at the foot of Pitville Street and then down the old boat ramp onto the beach to get access to the sea. I don't have to tell you how dangerous this is with the Prom and beach area as busy as it is in this warm weather.

The other danger they pose is the fact that they are speeding up and down close to the water's edge while others are swimming in the area. I believe that there has already been one accident. The Police have received complaints and I personally recently reported the owner of a 4WD vehicle for exactly the same reasons.

by **Guest** » 14 Aug 2003, 21:55

by **Carol** » 17 Aug 2003, 22:55

Something else about Jet Ski's.

A few years ago, I was at my front room window looking out to sea through a telescope. I saw a Jet Ski smash its way through a raft of eider ducks, leaving them flapping around in a terrible state. I watched the adults searching and gathering back as many of the scattered chicks as they could find. Shortly after that, the Jet Ski returned and went right through the whole lot of them again. If they weren't killed they were almost frightened to death. I felt too upset to watch any more and could still hear them screaching and screaming long after the Jet Ski had gone. These ducks thought they were safe there, a good distance back from the shoreline.

A couple of months ago, a puffin was washed up on the beach. I'll never know who or what was responsible for its early death but the Jet Ski's were there the evening before and I noticed them travelling far out in the direction of the island - Inchkeith (Puffin Territory). I think that puffin was hit by a Jet Ski.

It would be much better for beach people and birds if the Jet Ski's were not allowed near the beach or sea during spring, summer and autumn. That covers the breeding season. It is also when the beach is busiest with people and events.

Jet Ski's are disturbers of the peace for all the reasons we already know about. They already kill sea birds and it probably won't be that long until they have "notched up" a human being as well.

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 29 Jul 2005, 19:29

by **Poppy** » 29 Jul 2005, 19:35

Maureen - good news, take a look at the Golden Balls thread down below..........

Been on your hols? If so, hope you had a great time - good to have you back!

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 29 Jul 2005, 21:57

Yes poppy been away to the tranquil Perthshire aria. Fab the only noise was cows mooing and sheep baaing. Absolutely bliss. Nice to be back though can only put up with bliss for so long. Hope the golden ball is to do with the jet skis.
Mo

by **dccairns** » 11 Sep 2005, 17:09

Well unfortunately the jet skiiers don't seem to give a stuff about the buoys as we saw one lot skiing inside them. When we spoke to them about it they denied it! Then they said they are allegedly allowed to ski as close to the beach as they like at the Joppa Pans end of the beach, which effectively makes that part of the beach a no-go area for swimmers. Another party of jet-skiiers had their 4X4 parked on the beach in front of the swimming baths. I see an accident happening very soon.

And don't get me started about the noise! The prom is the one place in Porty you can get away from traffic noise but not any more. I think I will follow some jet-skiiers home and rev an engine outside their house for a few hours one night.

Anyone know exactly what the rules are and who is responsible for enforcing them?

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 11 Sep 2005, 20:39

The jet skiers from my observation (about 6yr or so) don't give a toss about any one or any thing. How ever why should they as no one in authority gives a toss about them. There are no buoys at the kings Road end. Obviously it doesn't matter if the bathers are in danger at the King's Road end or that that they are effectively only about 500 yards from tenements. Some how the noise is not meant to be bothersome at this end of the beach. I would definitely be game for disturbing the peace of the jet skies by revving my car engine for 7 of 8 hr solid, but some how I don't think we would get away with it as the police would probably intervene. Still the thought has kept me going for years.
Mo

by **GRANTY** » 11 Sep 2005, 22:00

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 12 Sep 2005, 01:04

by **Poppy** » 12 Sep 2005, 18:56

by **Epykat** » 12 Sep 2005, 19:12

by **dccairns** » 12 Sep 2005, 19:19

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 12 Sep 2005, 21:20

The jet skies and speed boats seem to be a seasonal problem. Hopefully by the end of this month there will be none as they don't do cold weather and obviously can't manage there machines in challenging seas. They just go up and down on very calm water. I very much agree that they need to be located away from Portobello. I suspect they are only here as they can drive the 4 x 4 and vans on to the beach. There are more and more jet skis, as the years go on. They are relatively cheep and you don't have to have a licence plus I wouldn't think they have any kind on insurance. The council perhaps needs to look at nominating and providing access to these people at specified non resident aria Leith, Granton,
Silverknows Cramond, what ever but I believe we should be reclaiming our beach.
The beach will do quite over the winter and as a consequence the subject will be forgotten until next year. Unless we make this year is different.

by **dccairns** » 12 Sep 2005, 22:20

Yes, I think we should make this year different and try and get something worked out before next summer.

by **foxy** » 12 Sep 2005, 22:34

...it's ubiquitous

by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Sep 2005, 06:22

by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Sep 2005, 13:33

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 30 Sep 2005, 22:17

by **Franck** » 01 Oct 2005, 14:24

There is also the environmental issue associated with these machines.They do look great fun, but with no regard for others-human or animal, the owners/users have the combined brain capacity of a gnat.

The fuel it releases directly into the water is something along the lines of 100 times more harmful to the environment as say, a motorbike.

by DG » 01 Oct 2005, 14:51

Agree entirely with you on this, Franck.

The last time we went camping at Loch Lomond we were supprised and irritated by the amount of jet skiing that is allowed there in a national park. The noise and environmental pollution has to be taken seriously.

DG

by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Oct 2005, 18:15

by **dccairns** » 28 Oct 2005, 16:17

by **dccairns** » 31 Oct 2005, 12:28

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 08 Nov 2005, 00:44

by **Maria** » 08 Nov 2005, 10:48

by **maureen mclaughlin** » 08 Nov 2005, 12:42

by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Nov 2005, 12:43

by **Maria** » 19 Nov 2005, 22:07

by **GRANTY** » 23 Apr 2006, 17:00

by **Poppy** » 23 Apr 2006, 17:10

by **Epykat** » 23 Apr 2006, 19:56

by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 May 2006, 20:24

by **wangi** » 15 May 2006, 22:09

by **wangi** » 16 May 2006, 17:32

Jetski danger and petition

Jetski danger and petition

Another Jet Ski Problem

JET SKI DANGER

Jet Skiis and other vehicles!

Who is online