'We are not yobs on the water' — Tay jet-skiers fed up of boy racer reputation
Jet-skiers in the Tay are being unfairly associated with "yobbish behaviour," according to Dundee electrician and jet-ski enthusiast Alistair Phillips.
Jet-skiers Sean Knight (left), Rab Dee and Mr Phillips at Broughty Ferry.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 06.09.11
- Published online : 06.09.11 @ 09.11am
He is fed up with being branded as a "boy racer." He believes that because the high adrenaline sport involves travelling at speed, it makes it easy for critics to accuse them of being irresponsible and harmful to local wildlife.
His comments come just days after a six-foot seal died after washing ashore at Broughty Ferry. It suffered head trauma which it was suggested could have been caused by a propeller blade.
That led to Pedro Bisquert, owner of the Tapas Bar on Gray Street, blaming jet-skiers for hitting the animal.
Mr Phillips rejects that and said the high-powered craft do not have an external propellers.
He said: "There has been a lot of bad press targeted towards jet-skiers that they are some sort of yobs on the water. This is not true, we are just going out and having fun.
Propellers encased
"There is no way that a propeller could hit a seal or dolphin because they do not stick out the back. They are encased within the jet-ski itself.
"OK the body of the jet-ski could hit the animal but definitely not the propeller."
He said it was far more likely a seal or dolphin would be hit by pleasure boat trips on the Tay run by maritime charity Taymara.
Mr Phillips said: "I have jet-skied for almost five years and I can tell you no one I know has ever chased a seal or dolphin. Jet-skis vary in price but the people I go with have skis, that at the lowest end cost £2,500 and range up to £15,000.
"There is no way anyone would ever purposely hit an animal. It would cost so much money to repair, the ski would just crumple. If we see a seal or dolphin we go in the opposite direction and so do they."
Problems for wildlife
Despite Mr Phillips's strongly held view, Gareth Norman, manager of safety organisation Coastwatch, believes irresponsible jet-skiers are still causing problems for wildlife in the Tay.
He said dolphins can be harmed by jet-skis and other craft which get too close and force them into shallow waters. However Mr Phillips said that he was not aware of anyone who had ever hit a seal or dolphin.
He said: "We don't annoy anybody. There is more chance of a jet-ski being destroyed by a wave or running aground than hitting a seal or dolphin. It is just we are getting blamed because we are an easy target."
Police met with local groups, including the Phibbies, the coastwatch and the RNLI, to promote the safe use of jet-skis in response to complaints earlier this year.
According to Mr Phillips no one from the jet-ski community was invited to attend.
"I have absolutely no idea why they did not invite us to that," he said.
09.31am - 06.09.2011 george - dundee, Scotland Report This
They are a sad lot. Spoiling a day at the beach or a walk along the front at the Ferry with their whining jetskis. Going around in circles and thinking people are impressed rather than irritated. They should act their age and do something grown up. I'd rather watch dolphins than these jetskiers.
10.06am - 06.09.2011 Orca - Cupar, Scotland Report This
The gentleman is far too old for this water-bourne version of boy racers.
10.06am - 06.09.2011 Cory Douglas Campbell - Maryfield, Scotland Report This
Here we go again, The redundant economic class war heats up on the Tay. Jet skiing is an international sport sanctioned by the IJSBA. Jet Skis are a blast and the river belongs to everyone. These folk work hard so why can't they play hard? DCC should licence Jet Ski rentals for tourist tax income.
10.25am - 06.09.2011 C Sedno - Dundee, UK Report This
I agree with George. These people buzz around seeking attention and causing noise which disrupts the enjoyment of others. No one is impressed - they are actually a bit sad if anything.
10.47am - 06.09.2011 Alan Smithee - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Jet Skiers we will be videoing at random in Broughty Ferry ,we will see if you tell the truth or not. We exposed the scramble motorbikes in the Courier,you guys next?
10.54am - 06.09.2011 bob - dundee, Scotland Report This
Cory. "methinks you doth damn them with faint praise" They've got money so we should allow them to 'play hard'. And the 99% of non jet skiers should shut up and go away.
11.24am - 06.09.2011 Concerned Citizen - Forfar, UK Report This
Nothing wrong with jetskis if they are used appropriately, therefore there needs to be zones set aside for powered craft and zones for swimmers, to avoid accidents. Despite the views of certain luddites who would like to go back to the Victorian era, the river belongs to everyone, so find a solution
11.41am - 06.09.2011 flipper - arbroath, scotland Report This
aye you should try running a motorbike everyone looks at you as if you have just committed murder, yer not allowed to enjoy yerself these days, just read above,
11.45am - 06.09.2011 peem - dundee, scotland Report This
The river is there for everyone,most harbours and beaches worldwide have them,working on the river i have witnessed first hand jetskiers stopping when a pod is nearby unlike certain other vessels who follow the dolphins as their feeding and no i've never owned a jet ski!!
11.53am - 06.09.2011 KENNETH GRAHAM - Pembury RoyalTunbridgeWell Kent, UNITED KINGDOM Report This
Dundee hold the international power boat racing. Yet there is no reports of any harm to the wild life in the Tay....I am supporter of both sides and the wild life are very important. So can there not be talks to resolve his.
Add a comment