More penalties for people acting irresponsibly in Jersey waters

Saturday, 1 February 2025 06:00

New penalties could be introduced for vessel operators acting irresponsibly in Jersey waters.

Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel wants to update existing Harbour Regulations to ensure people are held responsible if they harm others at sea.

The changes will being more craft into the scope of the legislation, such as jetskis and smaller speedboats.

People would also be penalised for:

Dangerous operation of a ship;
Causing serious injury by dangerous operation of a ship;
Causing death by dangerous operation of a ship;
Careless operation of a ship;
Causing serious injury by careless operation of a ship;
Causing death by careless operation of a ship;
Operating a ship with excessive emissions;
Failure to have a person with experience in the relevant activity in or on a ship;
Providing false or misleading information or evidence.

If the skipper of a vessel is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the Minister would like to see the introduction of aggravated offences.

This means the police or Harbourmaster would have the authority to breathalise suspects during an investigation into a serious injury or death.

Deputy Morel's proposals state: "The purpose of the amendments is to make Jersey’s territorial waters safer for everyone and to hold everyone who uses Jersey’s waters to the same level of responsibility."

They can be debated by the States Assembly on, or after 18 March and if approved, would come into force seven days later.