Marine patrols to help keep you safe on the water

Our marine officers are committed to keeping you safe in and on the water around the Essex coastline.

Under the banner of Operation Wave-Breaker, our specialist Marine Unit mounts regular patrols in anti-social behaviour hotspots throughout the spring and summer.

Thanks to their educational and engagement activity with personal watercraft riders and other water-users who may come into near contact with them, incidents of anti-social behaviour halved in Essex waters during the operation last year.

Sergeant Alex Southgate says there are very few accidents involving personal watercraft in Essex and ‘we want to keep it that way’.

“Last year, despite a significant increase in users, we had only 37 reports of anti-social behaviour on the water involving personal watercraft, compared with 74 during the spring and summer of 2022.
“If you seriously injure or kill someone while you are riding personal watercraft, you can be prosecuted, as can the owner, so we ask that users familiarise themselves with local water byelaws and our PWC Code of Conduct before taking one out on the water.”

As the days get warmer and our coastline gets busier, the Marine Unit will put on additional high-visibility patrols at peak times in known hot-spot areas, particularly along the rivers Blackwater and Colne.

Look out for our marine officers riding their Essex Police-liveried PWCs or you might spot them on the rigid-hulled inflatable boat, or rib, Sentinel.

Last season, they stopped and spoke to 165 personal watercraft riders about their behaviour on the water, resulting in 94 verbal warnings. And nine riders were reported for court action after speeding on the rivers Blackwater and Colne, contravening council byelaws.

Our marine officers also issued the first two fixed penalty notices in the country for infringements of the water-based public spaces protection order (PSPO) in Southend.

Alex says:

“Officers will be patrolling at peak times and are always happy to speak to people.
“When you see us, come over and ask us about water safety, byelaws and the risks speeding personal watercraft pose to other water-users.
“But we can’t be everywhere all the time so, please, if you do experience or see dangerous activity or anti-social behaviour on the water, report it to us online.
“We work with local councils, which are responsible for the byelaws, to prosecute those offenders whose behaviour has put themselves or others at risk.
“Ultimately, we want everyone who visits the Essex coast to stay safe so they can enjoy the many wonderful attractions it has to offer.”

Visit our Marine Unit pages to find out about our PWC Code of Conduct, local byelaws, staying safe on the water and how to protect your marine equipment and property.

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