Current timestamp: 23/05/2022 19:41:13
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

essex-logo-217

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Stay safe on the water

Main article content

Navigation

News

12:00 12/04/2022

Watch as a personal watercraft and its rider twice collide with the side of an Essex Police boat

The sea around our coast and our waterways are getting busier as the weather improves.

And our Marine Unit wants to ensure that everyone using them, for work or for leisure, does so safely.

They work to reduce water-based anti-social behaviour which, in turn, can cause injuries and even pose a risk to life as well as endangering wildlife.

One of the problems which concerns regular water-users is people speeding or using vessels with which they are not familiar, such as personal watercraft (PWC) and speedboats.

“We want to keep people safe and highlight to occasional users the twin dangers of inexperience and of using personal watercraft and boats in an anti-social manner, which can both lead to accidents.”
Sgt Alex Southgate

Last year, Marine Unit officers came across 84 anti-social behaviour incidents involving PWCs, down from 99 in 2020. During a busy summer, they conducted 135 stop checks – of which 73 involved PWCs – and gave 63 verbal warnings, while four PWC riders were reported for court process.

And their work was aided by Maldon District Council’s donation of a PWC which has given our officers better and faster access to areas of coastline they previously struggled to reach.

20210712-Burnham-PWC-PCRawson-600x370.jpg
PC Paul Rawson onboard the personal watercraft donated by Maldon District Council

 

One man was handed a £200 fine plus £150 costs after riding a PWC at more than three times the speed limit along the River Blackwater and then twice colliding with an Essex Police boat in Steeple Bay when officers asked him to stop.

“We could see a PWC being driven quickly across the water. There is an eight knot (9mph) speed limit but we could see, even from some distance away, that the PWC was being driven at well over 30mph.
“Our PWC was able to enter the shallow waters and approach the rider, directing him to come over to our RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat) where we were waiting to speak with him.
“As he approached, it was clear that he was unable to control his PWC. He collided with our RHIB, snapping off one of his wing mirrors. Although he managed to turn his PWC around, he collided with us again, snapping off the second wing mirror. As I called out to him to turn the engine off, he asked ‘Where’s stop?’.”
Sgt Alex Southgate

In another speeding case, a man was fined £100 with an additional £150 legal costs after being filmed in his speedboat by a member of the public travelling at more than 20 knots in the eight-knot restricted area between Tollesbury Fleet and Woodrolfe Creek. Officers were able to identify the boat from the footage and trace the owner, who admitted the offence.

“If you are lending a PWC or a speedboat to a friend or relative, or you are buying one for the first time, make sure that person has been trained to use it safely before they go out on the water on their own.
“As well as being familiar with the vessel, if they are using it on the sea, they also need to be aware of the tides and local currents."
Sgt Alex Southgate

Alex stresses that Marine Unit officers not out to spoil anyone’s fun but says speed limits are there for a reason.  

“The speed limits are set by local harbourmasters to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the water. We have been engaging with and educating people on the water but we will take enforcement action when necessary.
“We want everyone to enjoy the water but to do so safely. A PWC or a powerboat can be incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands so, if you’re thinking about buying or using one, have some training and learn how to use it properly so you’re not putting yourself or others at risk.
“The same goes for if you are lending it to a friend – you aren’t doing them a favour if you don’t first make sure they are capable of operating it responsibly.”
Sgt Alex Southgate

If you witness or experience any anti-social behaviour, please report it to us through our digital 101 service on our website.

Alternatively, you can call 101. In an emergency always dial 999.

Share

More news this month

  • Four arrested after attempted ATM thefts
  • Thurrock: Lakeside is safe
  • Braintree: Cash and wraps seized in drugs raid
  • North Essex: Officers thanked for response to hare coursing – man fined
  • Clacton: Man charged in Class A drug investigation
  • A127: Man dies after collision
  • Marching for men’s cancer awareness
  • Fuel protestors in Thurrock

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Essex Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Careers
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.