Power boat and jet ski activities to be further regulated   |27 October 2021

Mr Valmont and Mrs Adrienne during the press conference (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

In view of a recent increase in power boat and jet ski activities around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) is in the process of amending the Beach Control Act for the safety of both operators and other people using the water space.

The statement was made by the chief executive of SMSA, Captain Joachim Valmont, during a press briefing held on Monday morning at SMSA’s head office, Trinity House, Victoria.

Also present was the deputy CEO, Brigitte Adrienne.

Captain Valmont said that the authority has recorded an increase in complaints about power boat and jet ski activities recently, especially on Praslin, where such activities are taking place at Marie Jeanne Estate and Côte D’Or.

He added that now with the newly registered ‘Seychelles Power Boat and Jet Ski Association’, and the calm weather approaching, the water sport activity is prone to get bigger and so the need for safety of the operators and other people using the water is imminent.

Speaking about the amendments with regard to SMSA’s water craft activities regulations, Mrs Adrienne said that it will set out demarcation zones where the power boats and jet skis will operate and for the safety equipment that will be required when they are in use.

The water vehicles also have to be seaworthy including the operators to be in possession of a certificate of proficiency (navigation rules and regulations) to be able to operate them (power boats and jet skis).

Only a person of sixteen years and above will be allowed to operate a power boat or a jet ski.

A child below seven years old will not be allowed as a passenger onboard a jet ski.

The identification regulation is another regulation approved by cabinet recently and to be put in place to allow the entity to register and oversee the activities of water vehicles under 10 metres that operate along our coastal waters.

Mr Valmont said that members of the ‘Seychelles Power Boat and Jet Ski Association’,  among other non registered members, are free to organise their sporting activities but they have to inform all of the authorities concerned of their activities for oversight and safety as there are demarcation zones for such  sporting activities.

He stated that the law stipulates that motored water sports activities are not allowed inside the 120 metre high water mark designated to bathers only.

He added that while SMSA cannot disfigure the waters long the coastline beaches with demarcation buoys, such buoys are placed in some areas only.

He further added that their website can be consulted for information and guidance.

Patrick Joubert