Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
THE IRISH COASTGUARD says there’s been an increase of around 40 per cent in call-outs relating to leisure activities in the last three weeks, compared to the same period last year.
Amongst the categories showing a rise: broken down sail- and motor-craft; parents reporting missing children; swimmers in difficulty and, notably, nuisance jetskiers.
Operations manager with the Coastguard Declan Geoghegan says they’ve had “around half a dozen cases” of jetskiers causing problems and “tormenting” beachgoers. Speaking to TheJournal.ie, he said that some of the cases related to people using the watercraft too close to swimmers, noting it was likely that in some instances this was accidental. He warned:
The message we need to get out to jetskiers is that you need to stay away from designated swimming areas – the areas between the yellow and red flags that are supervised at beaches. Anyone on a jetski needs to keep a close eye for swimmers at all times.
Most cases of nuisance jetski use were recorded along the South Dublin coastline, although Geoghegan said there was also a case in recent days of a group of young men steering too close to the beach at Achill in Mayo.
Meanwhile, Irish Water Safety’s re-iterating its warning to anyone planning on taking a dip during the warm spell. CEO John Leech says three to six people lose their lives in drownings during each ‘heatwave’ we experience in Ireland.
Advertisement
“Teenagers and people in their early twenties are amongst the groups most at risk,” he told TheJournal.ie:
The big thing that happens is that you have groups of young people going off to find a secluded spot that won’t be supervised, at rivers or lakes or whatever. The fact that they may not be used to swimming in the area, combined with the likelihood that they may have had a few beers means they often get in trouble and can’t make it back to shore.
According to Leech, most drownings that occur in Ireland happen in freshwater – 62 per cent of the total. 37 per cent of all drownings happen in rivers.
Swimmers jumping from the Bull Bridge into the Lagoon at Dollymount in Dublin (Image: Photocall Ireland)
“The big message we want to get across to young people is to find a spot that’s safe for swimming, where there’s a ring-buoy in place and where there’s safe access and egress from the water,” Leech added.
Irish Water Safety’s also warning sea swimmers of the increased risk from rip currents this week. The currents will be stronger than normal for the next few days, due to a new moon last Monday.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Jet skis are a huge pain in the ass. You can have hundreds of people enjoying the beach and they all have their peace shattered by some tool zooming up and down all day on his little toy
That ‘ass’ is fully entitled to zoom up and down on that toy! Do you know how much they cost to buy and maintain? obviously not! If u want a quiet beach then find a secluded beach where nobody else goes. All water activities add to the atmosphere and excitement of the beaches. Do you moan like a bitch when your on holidays abroad and there’s speedboats and jet skis? Fcuking unreal you complainers!
Jet skiing has to be the most selfish sport on earth, especially on inland waters where one person on a jet ski can completely disturb and ruin the peace and tranquility associated with these areas. The impact on wildlife, especially water fowl is significant. Ireland’s tourism business thrives because of the low number of jetskis, fast motor boats and water skiers on our waters, not due to it. Go to Ibiza if you banana boats and the roar of these annoying boats and ” water motorbikes”.
How can an individual be allowed to create such noise and disturbance? I reckon over 90% of people would support a country-wide ban on this so-called “sport”. Unfortunately it seems to attract a certain type of person also, one with no knowledge of or care for water etiquette . Being an angler who doesn’t actually care whether I catch fish or not, I find that the ever increasing number of these machines appearing on our waters totally spoils the real reason why I fish…peace and tranquility.
@Daniel. Ideally Irish Beaches should be somewhere to escape f****n boy racers. If you read article it says these aqua-boy-racers are intruding on designated swimming areas thats the same as randomly speeding your car in a pedestrianized area.
Oi gobby…..everywhere else there are rules and regulations…..and they’re obeyed. Otherwise going scuba diving wouldnt b possible!!! Learn respect ya bleedin’ ejit!
The beech is shite. Water meeting sand. Wow its amazein . Jet ski be the only thing thats not boreing at the beech. Please man. I got these cheese burgers man.
I don’t know which is worse, people who post a comment after clearly misreading the article, or applaingling bad spelling from smart arses pointing out the fact!
Arklow beach was a disaster zone all weekend. There where two groups from Dublin. Group 1 was fine as they just used the beach to launch and come back in a straight line. Group 2 were full on doing 360 degree spins up to 4M from waters edge at full speed. The usual crack..bunch of young fellas trying to impress not so impressed female friends.
Got the kids out immediately. We actually had to leave the sand area near the water too as they were so close we were expecting a land crash.
It not just the beach, Lough Ree is plagued with them aswell in family amenity areas. Zipping in and out from “beach” area alongside kids paddling. Strange considering the amenity is in a 5kph speed limit wildlife sanctuary area. Jet skiers should be registered as per other watercraft on inland waterways and the rules enforced to allow the majority enjoy the amenities in peace.
So go and complain where it matters then! Complaining here is not going to achieve anything. If ‘individuals’ are being reckless this does not mean EVERYONE with a jet ski is reckless.
I used to own one (in the good old days) and even I was horrified by the behaviour of other jetski owners. There is NO need to go near the beach! In Enniscrone in Sligo the locals make it very clear to these lunatics that there is a strict speed limit around the pier and that they can not go within a certain distance of the beach. Most adhered to the rules but a lot didn’t (usually the same age profile and gender as people who cause havoc on the roads). Please don’t tar us all with the same brush!
My bad it was actually a powerboat. Ive reported the above comment to see if it should be removed or not though her death was caused by someone using a motorized water vehicle were they weren’t supposed to
Look on the bright side if people are complaining about jet skis it means the weather is good enough for them to be on the beach I hope they have this problem all summer;)
PLEASE call the Gardaí if you feel any sense of danger from a jetskier/motorboater/sailor/etc. Or if you think they’re reckless.
Gardas likely enforce bye laws and public order only if a complaint is made. If they’re a competent water user, no problem. But the Jackasses out there need to be kept in check.
Jet-skiers: if another is being an idiot afloat, tell him/her or call the Gardaí. For preservation of our equal enjoyment of the water. Otherwise more bans are incoming.
Not for those swimming.
Its very difficult to spot just the top of someones head in the waves and more so when a jet ski is traveling at 30 knots plus.
what a bunch of complainers. its only jealousey because the people who don’t have jetski’s wish they had one, and if i seen someone with one it wouldn’t bother me, it only bothers the joe duffy lovers.
Who controls Ireland's offshore wind? Spoiler: Not Irish companies
Conor O'Carroll
3 hrs ago
1.6k
12
Soccer
Shamrock Rovers' European adventure ends after penalty shootout defeat
3 hrs ago
1.3k
5
Met Éireann
Status Yellow wind warning for 10 counties tomorrow as stormy conditions expected
Updated
9 hrs ago
54.0k
43
Your Cookies. Your Choice.
Cookies help provide our news service while also enabling the advertising needed to fund this work.
We categorise cookies as Necessary, Performance (used to analyse the site performance) and Targeting (used to target advertising which helps us keep this service free).
We and our 148 partners store and access personal data, like browsing data or unique identifiers, on your device. Selecting Accept All enables tracking technologies to support the purposes shown under we and our partners process data to provide. If trackers are disabled, some content and ads you see may not be as relevant to you. You can resurface this menu to change your choices or withdraw consent at any time by clicking the Cookie Preferences link on the bottom of the webpage .Your choices will have effect within our Website. For more details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
We and our vendors process data for the following purposes:
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
Cookies Preference Centre
We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent. You may exercise your right to consent, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in the link under each purpose. Some vendors may process your data based on their legitimate interests, which does not require your consent. You cannot object to tracking technologies placed to ensure security, prevent fraud, fix errors, or deliver and present advertising and content, and precise geolocation data and active scanning of device characteristics for identification may be used to support this purpose. This exception does not apply to targeted advertising. These choices will be signaled to our vendors participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework.
Manage Consent Preferences
Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Store and/or access information on a device 102 partners can use this purpose
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development 133 partners can use this purpose
Use limited data to select advertising 103 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Create profiles for personalised advertising 75 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Use profiles to select personalised advertising 74 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Create profiles to personalise content 36 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Use profiles to select personalised content 32 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Measure advertising performance 124 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Measure content performance 59 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources 72 partners can use this purpose
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Develop and improve services 79 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Use limited data to select content 37 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
Use precise geolocation data 42 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification 24 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Ensure security, prevent and detect fraud, and fix errors 82 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Deliver and present advertising and content 92 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Match and combine data from other data sources 65 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Link different devices 48 partners can use this feature
Always Active
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Identify devices based on information transmitted automatically 81 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
Save and communicate privacy choices 60 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say