PERSONAL WATERCRAFT     

(Jetskis)

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SHOW PW ZONE

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SEE PROHIBITED ZONE (BYELAW 53)

Langstone Harbour is a popular launching site for Personal Watercraft (PW).  The mobility and noise from PW have a high impact on the heavily protected harbour environment and there are regulations in place to limit disturbance.  There are also regulations to ensure that PW can be used safely and compatibly with other users of the harbour and its beaches.  Use the link to find more information about launching sites in Langstone Harbour.

The speed limit in Langstone Harbour is 10 knots.  This is roughly equivalent to 10 mph.  If you are prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit you could be fined up to £1,000 plus costs.

Safety

Safety information is available from the Harbour Office, where staff are available to answer your questions.  Please use your PW with consideration and follow the advice below:

• Check local weather conditions and tides.  At certain states of the tide the currents are very strong in the harbour entrance and at the launching sites.

• Always wear a buoyancy aid

• Always use your 'killchord'

• Make sure you have some means of attracting attention if you need help

• Tell someone when you will return

• Don't consume alcohol if you are going to ride a PW

• Keep your craft well maintained

• Keep well clear of the beach where there are swimmers

• When reversing on the slipway, make absolutely sure that your path is clear

• Park your vehicle and trailer considerately, away from the beach

DEFINITION

The term "Jetski" is defined in the Langstone Harbour Byelaws, 1994 as follows:

“Jet ski” means any vessel referred to as a jet ski, wet bike, water scooter, fun craft or other similar description which vessel is designed to carry a person or persons standing, kneeling , sitting or prone upon the vessel and which vessel is propelled by a jet engine or other motive power the master of which vessel steers it with or without a rudder at the stern by means of a handlebar operated linkage system and/or by altering the relationship between the body weight of the person or persons carried on the vessel and the vessel itself"

Jetski Permits

It is an offence to use a PW in Langstone Harbour without a valid Permit.  Permits are valid for a year between 1 March and end of February and permit-holders must display the adhesive plaque provided by the Board as evidence that they have obtained a permit prior to launching.  Below are the conditions of the permit. 

1. Jet skiing is prohibited in The Run (harbour entrance) and in all mooring areas.

2. Jet skiing is permitted in other areas of the harbour only when navigating at or below the 10 knots statutory harbour speed limit.

3. Launching and recovery of jet skis is allowed at all points of access to the harbour. However, in The Run, the jet ski must proceed as nearly as practicable in a straight line to or from the sea at or below the 10 knots speed limit. The use of jet skis in The Run is prohibited except for access to or from the sea.

4.  The permit must be produced for inspection on demand by the Board's authorised officers.

5. Persons under the age of 12 years are not permitted to operate or take charge of a jetski.

6. Failure to comply with the above conditions will be a breach of the Jet Ski Byelaw and may result in this permit being revoked and the Owner and/or Rider being prosecuted.

Insurance

You should be covered for third party risks with a valid insurance policy for up to £2,000,000 per claim.

Charges

Note:  Slipway launching fees apply to all craft using the public slipways.  The same launching fees apply to PW and other craft.  The PW permit is a separate charge, arising from the requirements of Byelaw 53

Slipways

1. Charges apply at all public slipways in Langstone Harbour.  Launching fees, which include harbour dues for the vessel or PW,  may be paid daily or annually.  The annual charge covers the year to end of February and entitles you to launch at either of the public slipways.

2. Slipway launching fees are not refundable and no discount is permitted on the annual launch fee in respect of previous daily launches.

PW Permits

1. Your PW permit entitles you to unlimited launching during the year for which it is valid.  You may choose to pay launching fees either daily or annually but the PW permit is valid for the year (or remainder) for which it is issued, irrespective of how you choose to pay launching fees.

2. Permit charges are not refundable

3. Evidence that a permit has been issued will be provided in the form of an adhesive plaque, which must be prominently displayed on the PW for which it was issued

4. A separate permit is required for each PW

5. The datatag registration number on your PW must be shown on your permit

Permits for HIPWC members

Permit charges will be waived for members of the Hayling Island PW Club (HIPWC) who produce approved evidence of membership at the Harbour Office prior to payment.  There is a strict requirement to demonstrate membership of HIPWC before being eligible for this benefit, which will not be granted retrospectively.  See News Release (pdf) dated 22 October 2007

Payment

Credit cards, Debit cards, Cash and Cheques (with payment card) are all accepted at the Harbour Office.  Cheques should be made payable to "Langstone Harbour Board".

It will be necessary to attend the Harbour Office in person to obtain a PW permit because the permit must be signed by the applicant and countersigned on the Board's behalf.  It will assist us if you obtain your permit and pay your annual launch fee in advance, as this is a major cause of congestion on the slipway.

Staff attending the slipways can accept cash and issue daily receipts but credit or debit card payments and any annual payments will be handled at the Harbour Office.

If the slipway is unattended you should go directly to the Harbour Office to pay your fees.

Please read your permit conditions carefully before launching.

Notification of Changes

It is essential that you advise the Harbour Office immediately of any change in ownership or owner details relating to a PW which has been issued with a permit.  If you dispose of your PW you should remove the permit sticker or you may become liable for prosecution if the craft is still registered in your name.

Access & Parking

Please show consideration when using our slipways.  At peak times there may be other customers launching ahead of you.  Remember that there is a pub adjacent to the Hayling slipway and people in the vicinity may behave unpredictably.

The Harbour Board cannot provide parking facilities.  There is a private car park adjoining the Ferry Boat Inn and there is a Council car park on the seafront just south of the Ferry Boat Inn.

Please do not bring your vehicle or trailer into the Harbour Board compound, it is a working area.  Do not leave your vehicle in the hatched zone at the top of the Hayling slipway.

PW Zone

A buoyed zone has been established outside the harbour, south of Eastney Beach, where the speed limit has been relaxed.  Regulations concerning the PW Zone are enforced by the Queen's Harbour Master.