Antriana Panteli
Beachgoers in Protaras are warning of serious risks caused by the reckless use of privately owned jet skis. Paralimni Port and Marine Police confirmed to “K” that it frequently receives such complaints, most of them concerning Serena Beach.
According to information obtained by “K,” people who regularly visit beaches from the Kapparis area to Pernera have complained about a significant number of private jet ski owners who fail to follow the law.
They report jet skis travelling above the speed limit, failing to keep the required distance from designated swimming areas, and performing dangerous maneuvers that also put the riders themselves at risk.
As a result, those complaining say they are afraid to swim freely because they fear for their safety.
Speeding is the main offence
A Paralimni Port and Marine Police official told “K” that the most common offense identified by officers is speeding.
Under legislation governing speedboats, vessels must not travel faster than 3 knots, about 5 kilometers per hour, in restricted areas. They must also avoid creating waves that could endanger anyone in the water.
Police noted that some complaints involved incidents in areas not designated for swimmers. In those cases, no offense was identified.
To address the problem, the Port and Marine Police regularly patrol the areas concerned. When officers do not witness an offense, they issue warnings and instructions to jet ski users.
The official said that, in most cases, people appear to follow the instructions even after the police boat has left the area.
Giorgos Oikonomou, the beach inspector for Paralimni-Deryneia municipality, told “K” that such incidents do not fall under the municipality’s authority and are solely the responsibility of the Port and Marine Police.
Complaint receives no immediate response
One resident told “K” that he called the Port and Marine Police last week to report jet ski users allegedly breaking the law. He said he was told that no police boat was available, meaning officers could not carry out a check.
Commenting on the incident, a source told “K” that the Port and Marine Police give priority to emergencies in which human lives are at immediate risk. The particular complaint was not considered urgent.
