A man who rode his jetski at almost four times the speed limit off Brightlingsea has been fined after being caught by Essex Police.

Marine Unit officers on regular patrol caught Aaron Prainer, 36, riding at 30 knots – nearly 35mph – in the 8 knot zone in Point Clear Bay in August 2025.

Colchester magistrates were told that the jetcki was producing significant wash and was seen to be accelerating hard while still inside the restricted area, the court was told.

Prainer, of Alibon Road, Dagenham, was convicted in his absence of exceeding the speed limit within a harbour speed‑regulated zone.

Magistrates fined him £400 and ordered that he pay £310 in costs and surcharges. Colchester City Council administers the River Colne byelaws and brought the prosecution on 15 January.

After the hearing, marine officer PC Craig Stocker said: “We had received multiple reports of excessive speeding in and around Brightlingsea Harbour and Ray Creek last year so we carried out focused patrols in these areas. This section of the creek is a busy, high‑risk location regularly used by swimmers, paddle-boarders and a variety of small vessels.

“Prainer chose to ignore clear signs on the slipway from which he launched, outlining the relevant byelaws and speed restrictions, and instead put fellow water-users at risk by travelling at a speed far in excess of the limit.”

During the spring and summer months, officers from the Marine Unit conduct regular Operation Wavebreaker patrols along the Essex coast. The patrols aim to protect water users in areas which have historically experienced water-based anti-social behaviour and where people have ignored the local byelaws and pose a danger to people and wildlife in the immediate area.