No responsible parent would even think about allowing their teenaged children to take to the roads on a powerful motorcycle without knowing how to ride. But, as an investigation by The National has shown, this kind of prudence is often absent when it comes to renting jet skis.
The Department of Transport laws dictate that riders must be at least 18 years old, know how to swim and nobody under the age of 14 is allowed to be on a jet ski, even with an experienced rider. Companies that rent jet skis must also be licensed and cannot have craft with engines bigger than 1,200cc.
But while most operators abide by these rules, an estimated 30 per cent do not. As our investigation showed, underage riders at Khor Maqta in Abu Dhabi were able to routinely hire jet skis, with some of those available for rent having engines of up to 1,800cc.
The rules governing jet ski use have been tightening for some time, and for good reason. These craft can reach speeds of 100 kph, at which point a fall into the water is no trivial matter. Equally significant is the risk of colliding with others. Every year, people in the UAE suffer serious injuries in jet ski accidents, which is why the Department of Transport has been focusing on their use, with a requirement that all such craft in the capital be registered and the launch of awareness campaigns about their responsible use.
The preference in this country is to educate before seeking to regulate, which is generally the correct approach. But as the similar campaign for safer roads has demonstrated, education campaigns can only achieve so much before more proscriptive options need to be employed to make significant progress.
In the case of rented jet skis, the existing laws have to be enforced for the safety of everyone on the water. These kind of craft allow us to take advantage of the best parts of the UAE lifestyle, with the clear warm waters of the Gulf and generally sunny weather. Without proper oversight, what should be a boon for those living here can be a cause of danger and possibly tragedy.
