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Recreational Users Guide - Water Sports

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Personal Water Craft

Except in specially defined areas (see below), the use of Personal Water Craft (PWC) – i.e. jetskis, jetbikes etc, water-skiing, aquaplaning, and parakiting are not allowed on the tidal River Thames in a fairway or within 200 metres of any public beach, bathing place, residential property, wharf or jetty.

The only authorised areas for PWC are:

1. Fobbing Creek - Launch at Pitsea Hall County Park
2. West Beach, Southend - Contact Southend Council Pier and Foreshore Office

For further information please check with Southend Foreshore Office at Pier Hill, Southend on Sea (telephone 01702 611889 / 215620). Participants must manoeuvre at moderate or slow speed appropriate to the local conditions when proceeding to or from the authorised areas through the designated access routes.

The authorised areas for water-skiing are:

1. Marsh End Sands - Launch at Two Tree
2. Tewkes Creek - Launch at Two Tree Causeway
3. Holehaven Creek - Launch at Pitsea Hall County Park

Participants must keep well clear of the Fobbing and Easthaven Tidal Barriers and manoeuvre their boats at moderate or slow speed appropriate to the local conditions when proceeding to or from the authorised areas.

The person in charge of a craft towing a person water skiing or parakiting shall ensure:

• a lifebuoy or other means of protecting life is on board;
• at least one other person is aboard and able to take charge of the vessel and to give such assistance as may reasonably be required during the towing; and
• there are always two ‘look-outs’ on the towing boat, one to control and watch the boat and one to watch the participant.

The tidal Thames is extremely hazardous for boardsailing. The PLA therefore advises that boardsailing be restricted to the following areas:

• Westward of Putney Bridge; and
• Areas clear of the navigable channel and approaches to commercial berths in:

1. Erith Rands
2. Mucking Flats
3. Blyth Sands/All Hallows
4. Southend Pier to Canvey Island (Thorney Bay)

Be aware that sailboards are subject to the same byelaws and collision regulations that apply to all small vessels. Also remember that when a board sailor falls off their board they cannot see or be seen. Always wear a life jacket or appropriate buoyancy aid.

The following points apply to all those taking part in these types of activities:

• you must wear a lifejacket or appropriate buoyancy aid;
• you should hold adequate third party insurance cover against accidents, injury, damage etc; and
• you should join a recognised Club or Association for the activity.

Training courses for personal watercraft and powerboating are held at the Southend Marine Activities Centre, Eastern Esplanade, Southend SS1 2YH. Tel: 01702 612770.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) also has courses on personal watercraft, powerboating, windsurfing and sailing at all levels. Tel: 0845 345 0400 or 0845 345 0384

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