MVS takes part in Personal Watercraft Consultation

The MVS has responded to a recent Department for Transport (DfT) consultation on whether personal watercraft (PWC) users should be subject to the same safety obligations that exist for the operators of ships.

The DfT is proposing new legislation in response to a court ruling in 2005 that cast doubt on the legal status of personal watercraft such as jetskis and to dangerous behaviour by a minority of PWC users.

In its submission to the DfT, the MVS, whose Poole Unit uses a jetski for safety patrols, made clear its support for bringing personal watercraft within the scope of the Merchant Shipping Act 1990.

Based on its experience of providing safety patrols in harbours and rivers around the UK, the MVS also drew attention to a number of technical issues relating to the regulation of small craft.

The consultation has now closed and the outcome will be published on the DfT website.