Essex Police marine officers have begun their regular spring and summer Operation Wave-Breaker patrols aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour along the Essex coastline.
Since the patrols started, reported incidents involving jetskis or personal watercraft (PWC) have dropped by two-thirds, from 99 in 2021 to 33 in 2024. The River Colne and the waters around Brightlingsea is a key location the officers, along with West Mersea and Steeple Bay on the River Blackwater and Southend sea front.
In 2024 a PWC rider was convicted for riding his PWC at more than 10 times the permitted 4-knot speed limit in Brightlingsea Creek, with another fined for speeding at 30 knots in the River Colne where an 8-knot speed limit is in force.
“The key is our visibility within the county’s marine community,” said Sergeant Alex Southgate. “Through engagement, education and, when necessary, enforcement, we have sent out a clear message that we won’t tolerate people putting the safety of others at risk in and around our coastline.”
As well patrolling the 360 miles of Essex coastline, the unit mounts joint patrols with the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority and works with HM Coastguard and the RNLI to rescue people at sea.
You can find a lot of useful information, including our Personal Watercraft Code of Conduct, on our Marine Unit pages.
Reports of dangerous activity or anti-social behaviour on the water, can be made online or by calling 101, or 999 in urgent cases.
