Reckless jet-ski operators in Conwy harbour are reaching speeds up to four times the permitted limit along a confined channel while carrying young children.
Conwy County Council's Harbour Advisory Committee has been informed that the council is observing the situation through CCTV cameras but has yet to secure a successful prosecution. This is because the most recent attempt concerned a rider who had taken off the registration plate from their vehicle.
During the June meeting, harbour master Matt Forbes emphasised that the majority of jet ski operators adhered to the regulations but acknowledged that a small number were endangering others.
"I want to stress there is a minority of riders which we are finding contravening the 10-knot speed limit within the harbour. The majority do behave themselves," he said.
"From the last meeting we have had a number of instances of dangerous behaviour, so speeding up to 30 or 40 knots with young children on board these vessels, and it tends to be in the narrowest area of the channel between Deganwy and the beacons."
The new CCTV camera has been capturing footage. "We've been working with the CCTV staff to capture it live so when we are aware something is happening to film it. Before we can bring a prosecution we need to be sure that we are going to be successful. What we don't want to do is bring one in and it be unsuccessful. So we just need to have that evidentiary chain, which is the vehicle launching, the jet ski, with the rider on it, with the speeding, with it being recovered, and we haven't quite got there just yet," he continued.
He added: "The last time we were close but he had removed his registration plate from the vehicle. So people are obviously aware of the camera there now."
Mr Forbes explained that the warning signs at the harbour had been enhanced, making the speed limit "very clear". He added that water patrols had been conducted over the last few weekends and that everyone had behaved themselves.
