Jet skiing rules going unenforced in Abu Dhabi

Jet skiers blame the irresponsible and young riders who generally break the rules and threaten lives of other jetskiers as well as those swimming on the beaches.

Rashid Al Suwaidi said he was unaware of restrictions on visiting any areas around Abu Dhabi island. Silvia Razgova / The National

ABU DHABI // Experienced jet-skiers have blamed young and irresponsible riders for breaking the rules and putting other water users at risk.

Despite rules being in place to prevent dangerous behaviour in the water, many riders and jet ski rental outlets seem oblivious, and continue to flout regulations.

Mohammed Obaid Al Yammahi, a 21-year-old Emirati, said: “It’s great fun but at the same time it could be fatal if rules were ignored.

“I witnessed a tragic jet ski accident on the Abu Dhabi Corniche last year, where a rider died after a collision.”

He said he was driving rashly and manoeuvring dangerously.

“The accident happened in front of me. He was riding very fast,” said Mr Al Yammahi, who was preparing to ride his jet ski from the Mina jet ski renting station.

There were people who splashed water on swimmers on the Corniche beach, but the number of such people was small, he said. “Such people are those who are unaware of watercraft rules, and they take to the water for the first time for fun.

“I know parts of the city’s shores are divided for entertainment and swimming activities. I never approach the swimming area on the Corniche or else it’s dangerous.”

There should be awareness about the weather while taking to the seas for jet-skiing, Mr Al Yammahi said.

Each day, it is thought, about 200 people rent jet skis from rental stations at Khor Maqta and Mina Zayed. The figure more than doubles on weekends. Jet skis are banned along Al Bateen beach and between the two bridges at Al Maqta, yet they remain a common sight in both locations.

They are also banned in the Al Raha Beach area, Al Maqta opposite Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Al Bateen area and north Saadiyat Island.

The Department of Transport said jet-skiers must be over the age of 18, another rule that seems to go unenforced.

Rashid Al Suwaidi, a 16-year-old Emirati, said: “I come during weekends and spend two hours here. We stay about 15-20 metres from the beach area.”

He said he believed there were no restrictions on visiting any areas around Abu Dhabi island.

“I go to Abu Dhabi Corniche, Al Bateen and sometimes travel to Al Maya Island,” he said.

“I have seen riders who drive near beaches and splash water on swimmers, which is dangerous,” Khalid Al Ghafri, 31, said.

Mr Al Ghafri thought jet-skiers should not be closer than seven to 10 metres from beaches.

The Department of Transport rules say private watercraft can be operated “not less than 500 feet (152.4 metres) from the beach” and up to “a maximum of one nautical mile (1,852 metres) away from the starting point”.

“I keep my jet ski 10-20 metres away from the beach area as well as the shores,” Mr Al Ghafri said.

Rental operators blamed the riders. Suresh Parera, an operator at Maqta, said they did check the age of riders.

“We tell them to ride properly but if they break rules at sea, what we can do?”