SAFE USE OF PERSONAL WATER CRAFT

DRAFT RULES – COMMENTS WELCOME

At their meeting of 6 May 2015 Port Control and key stakeholders agreed the following draft set of rules and regulations for the safe use of Personal Water Craft (PWC), such as jet-skis and speedboats, in and around the waters of St Helena:

Draft Rules and Regulations:

• All Personal Water Craft (PWC), including jet-skis, water scooters, seadoo jet-skis and speedboats must use an engine safety cut-out switch (kill switch/emergency kill cord) at all times.
• Buoyancy aids must be worn at all times by PWC users and by all users being towed by a speedboat or using any water toy.
• PWC, speedboat users or those using any water toy, are not to come within 50 metres of the shoreline (access to the Wharf Steps, Middle Steps and Thompson’s Crane Steps is allowed to pick up people).
• All PWC and speedboats are to go in an anti-clockwise direction in the defined area, and all drivers must be over the age of 16 years.
• There is an exclusion zone from the bow to the stern of the Papanui wreck for all PWC and water sports craft.
• All towing speedboats must have a minimum of two crew (driver plus observer/flagman on-board) and a red flag must be flown.
• There will be a no wake zone and a speed limit of 5mph implemented in the access channels in and around the moorings, and around the Wharf Steps at the end of the wharf.
• There will be no towing or use of any water toy at any time within the no wake zones.
• No person involved in the above activities must be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The use of all PWC, water toys and all towing is prohibited after dark – dusk to dawn.

The public is now invited to make any final comments to the draft rules and regulations by 4pm on Friday 3 July 2015. Comments should be submitted to the Deputy Harbour Master, Steve Kirk, on email: Deputy.Harbourmaster@hmrc.gov.sh or tel: 22287.

Adherence to these rules will be monitored by the Harbour Master and anyone seen not complying with these regulations will be dealt with under the Harbours Ordinance, Section 14 – Enforcement of Directions to Vessels in Harbour Waters.

A map of James’ Bay detailing the different zone areas is shown below.

SHG

23 June 2015