Banned jet skier hits back at ban

He says the boat owner made death threats.

The man from Torquay, who asked to remain anonymous, said the incident happened when he and a friend were using their skis to splash each other in Brixham harbour.

They say a boat owner objected to what they were doing and shouted and swore at them, so they left the area and the skier returned to Torquay Marina.

But as a result of a complaint, the man has lost the use of his ski storage pod at Torquay.

The jet-skier says he was called to a meeting with Torbay Harbour officials where he was shown video footage of the incident at Brixham in March.

He said he apologised but was then told he was banned for a year from Torbay waters for dangerous driving.

He believes no action was taken against the boat owner, who the jet-skiers say was abusive and threatened to kill them. 

Details of the incident emerged at a meeting of Torbay Council’s harbour committee.

Councillors  were told the ban meant the skier avoided being prosecuted under harbour by-laws.

The man said he accepted the splashing incident was not acceptable, but had learned his lesson.

He pointed out he and other experienced jet-skiers had volunteered to assist the authorities with emergencies at sea.

He had towed a stranded yacht back to harbour and on one occasion rescued a swimmer who had got into difficulties.

The jet-skier said: “It has had a big effect on my life. I feel like they are banning me to make a point to every other jet-skier.”

Another Torquay-based jet-skier said: “I believe he has been made an example of.”

Councillors were told the voluntary ban meant the skier avoided a criminal record and the action had sent “shockwaves” through the jet-ski community.

The jet-skier said he was unaware he had the option of prosecution instead of a ban, which he would have preferred if it meant he could return to the water sooner.

He said he was hoping to clarify the situation in a further meeting with harbour officials.