RECKLESS jet-skiers could be putting their lives in danger. Two were pictured riding close to Condor 10 as it left St Peter Port on its way to St Malo.

They had also been jumping around in the wake of fast ferries as they approached and departed the harbour.

‘It’s somewhat foolhardy to be that close to the ferry,’ said deputy harbour master Tony Pattimore.

‘It’s just another distraction for the harbour master or the officer at watch on the bridge.’

He said it was ‘too close for comfort’ in case the vessel needed to alter course or the jet ski had a problem.

‘We’ve not had any complaints about jet-skiers for quite some time now.’

He added that like all people using the water, it was a small minority that that gave them a bad name.

The Board of Administration was concerned about the reports.

‘It is particularly concerning that such reckless behaviour could result in an injury or fatality to the user or a third party and anyone observed contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly,’ said a spokesman.

He said that under the provisions of section 11 of the Boats and Vessels (registration, speed limits and abatement of noise) Ordinance, 1970, jet-skiers were prohibited from manoeuvring without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for others.

One of the riders defended their actions, but said they would not be doing it again after they were given a warning.

‘We were just jumping the wake out the back; it was a flat day and there was no swell,’ said Etienne Digard.

‘It’s not something we do very often.

‘The Condor produces a sizeable wake and we didn’t think we were doing any harm. We’ve been informed that we shouldn’t do it again.’

He was riding the jet ski with a friend on the back. Other people they knew on the Condor took pictures and waved back as they rode alongside.

‘We’re all pretty experienced and we wouldn’t do anything stupid that would endanger or kill ourselves.’

He said they would never go in front of the boat and that jet skis were incredibly manoeuvrable. They could do speeds over 60mph and a kill switch cut the engine if a rider fell off.

A spokesman for Condor said that the danger arose if the jet-skiers were not trained.

‘Providing they are properly trained and have assessed the conditions and don’t impede the safe passage of the vessel, they don’t cause a problem to us.’

He said there was an incident in Liverpool when a jet-skier went under the hull of a ship and was lucky to escape with his life.

A similar incident nearly occurred off St Peter Port, but the jet-skier ‘thought better of it’.

‘If they are responsible and stay out of the way, we’re happy to share the seas with them.’

One of Trident VI’s skippers, Lee Potter, said that the jet-skiers had caused no problem but had amused the passengers.

Mr Digard said that the jet-ski community had grown massively this year and he was thinking of forming a club.

This would help them share information with official bodies as well as each other.

‘We do appreciate the chance to get out on the water and we don’t want to get into trouble.’