ABU DHABI // Al Raha Beach residents say their peace and safety are disrupted by jet-skiers who ride dangerously close to swimming areas.
People living in Al Bandar, Al Muneera and Al Zeina said the riders steer close to the edge of the beach’s roped-off swimming area at high speed, threatening the swimmers’ safety.
Despite crackdowns by authorities, the problem has been constant for several years.
“This has become a daily nuisance. We keep calling to the police and coastguard and they come hush them up but again they come back,” said a British resident of Al Muneera, who asked not to be named.
“This is a very beautiful place to live but it’s plagued by unruly jet skiers. This practice must stop.”
She feared for her children’s safety. “When I go inside the beach area I am always scared when [the jet-skiers] zoom past by the beach rope.”
According to Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport (DMAT) rules, jet-skiers must stay at least 200 metres from beaches.
The resident said she had witnessed three jet-skiers racing through the beach area.
“If they lose control of the machine it could be fatal for swimmers,” she said.
Another Al Muneera resident said the noise from the jet-skis was the big problem.
“Every day I reach home at around 5pm and I want to rest for a couple of hours, but these noisy jet-skis keep buzzing from time to time, even in the dark.”
He said the riders used a water channel at Al Muneera as a racecourse.
“The way they drive it’s dangerous for them as well. Authorities should take a note of this and ensure safe and peaceful living for all residents.”
An Al Zeina man said residents in the area already had to endure aircraft noise overhead and the jet skis added to the din, particularly at the beach.
“The presence of such high-speed machines means you can’t kayak as it’s too dangerous. Those who go out in the sea for kayaking return if they find jet-skiers there,” he said.
The DMAT warned that it would not tolerate jet-skiers getting too close to beaches.
It said it had confiscated 288 jet-skis in the past two years from owners operating them illegally.
There were 2,603 registered jet skis in Abu Dhabi and Western Region, the DMAT said.
“It’s prohibited to ride jet-skis in front of Al Bandar Marina and Al Muneera and Al Zeina residences in Al Raha beaches area, as well as Al Maqta, north Saadiyat Island, Al Bateen and Abu Dhabi Corniche,” said a department spokesman.
“Using personal watercrafts before sunrise or after sunset is prohibited.”
anwar@thenational.ae
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