Jetski users could face fines of up to £1,000 for speeding or riding dangerously on the River Colne and its estuary if plans to impose a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) are approved.

Colchester City Council  (CCC) – which manages the waters– is looking to impose a Personal Watercraft PSPO to cover all public coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, launching sites, and associated foreshore areas.

The order aims to tackle speeding, reckless or anti-social behaviour, illegal or obstructive mooring, littering and damage to the environment and wildlife. The proposal follows numerous incidents on the waters around Brightlingsea, upriver by Rowhedge and Wivenhoe, and West Mersea in recent years. The order would cover the restricted area for three years.

Launching a two week consultation, CCC says that failing to comply with the prohibitions or requirements imposed by the PSPO would qualify as a summary offence under Section 67 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, with a maximum fine of £1,000 if a person is found guilty.

Details of what the PSPO would cover – and its boundaries – are shown below. There’s an online consulation form or responses can be emailed to [email protected]. The consultation closes at noon on April 6.

Speeding
A person must not operate a PWC at a speed exceeding 4 knots unless otherwise stated, within:300 metres of the shoreline

• Any estuary, river, or channel where speed restrictions are displayed
• Any area marked as a No‑Wake or Low‑Speed Zone
• A person must not operate in a manner that creates excessive wake, endangers other water users, or causes nuisance to wildlife or residents is also prohibited.

Reckless or Anti‑Social Operation;
A person must not:

• Perform dangerous manoeuvres, aggressive acceleration, or erratic changes of direction;
• Operate a PWC under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Ride in restricted, lifeguarded, or bathing zones;
• Cause harassment, alarm, or distress to other water users, residents, or wildlife

Illegal or Obstructive Mooring
A person must not:

• Moor a PWC to navigation markers, buoys, private property, or restricted structures
• Leave a PWC unattended in a manner causing obstruction to channels, slipways, launching ramps or emergency access points
• Use unauthorised mooring points contrary to Harbour Authority directions

Littering and Environmental Damage
A person must not:

• Deposit, throw, or allow any litter, plastics, fuel containers or waste into the water or onto the foreshore
• Discharge fuel, oils, or other pollutants
• Cause avoidable disturbance to protected habitats, breeding sites, or wildlife zones

Additionally, the Council under section 59(4) imposes the following requirements on all PWC users, who must:

• Comply with posted speed limits, channel markers, and navigational signage
• Use only authorised slipways and launch sites
• Produce valid proof of identity and, where required, proof of PWC registration or competency or insurance when requested by an Authorised Officer
• Follow instructions issued by Authorised Officers, Harbour Patrol, or Police