Jet Skis in Abu Dhabi: Need to know

Whether you own a Jet Ski or you want to rent one, the rules of whizzing around on Abu Dhabi’s waters can be confusing. Where can you go, and what can’t you do? Caitlyn Davey lays down the law.

Watersports have become a big part of the active landscape in Abu Dhabi. Given the long, wide waterways that surround the city, it is no wonder that Jet Skiing is a favourite pastime.

Last year, the Department of Transport announced new regulations for Jet Ski riders to ensure the safety of all users of the waterways, which includes the registration of Jet Ski vehicles with the Abu Dhabi Marine Centre. Each violation carries a Dhs1,000 fine for companies hiring out Jet Skis, and Dhs500 for individuals breaching the laws. So it’s well worth paying attention to the dos and don’ts of this popular activity. Here’s what you need to know.

Buying
Upon purchasing a Jet Ski (also known as a personal watercraft or PWC), the law requires an inspection to ensure the vehicle is safe. According to the legislation of 2013, ‘Personal watercraft owners shall visit the office of the Department of Transport [Consolidated Center – Mina Area] to undergo a technical inspection of the personal watercraft to ensure it complies with the technical requirements approved at the department.’ All Jet Skis are required to have comprehensive insurance – and certification of such, which is to be provided at the inspection.

To register a Jet Ski, you must fill out an application form and present your Emirates ID, proof of ownership, comprehensive insurance certification (valid for more than 13 months) and a technical assessment pass certificate.

The certificate lasts for one year from the date of the inspection.

Renting
When renting a Jet Ski, riders must present a valid ID to the hire company. All riders of Jet Skis must be older than 14 years of age (a guardian must be present with minors aged 14-17 years) and the engine must be less than 1200cc. All Jet Skis must be registered regardless of ownership – riders hiring an unlicensed Jet Ski are liable to a Dhs500 fine, and Jet Ski hire companies are liable to a Dhs1,000 fine per unlicensed vehicle.

All companies are required to ensure riders are also capable swimmers and physically and mentally able to operate a Jet Ski.

Riding
All Jet Skis should hold a first-aid kit and safety equipment – including a life jacket, which the rider must wear at all times, a whistle, a pair of goggles, a protective helmet and an engine switch key. Legislation states that this key must be ‘tied to the PWC user’s wrist in order [that they are able to] turn off the engine upon falling off the PWC’.

Jet Skis must be fuelled before taking them on the water – fuelling at sea is against the law. Reckless driving of Jet Skis is an offence, as is splashing others and riding with more than two people on one vehicle.

Not only is Jet Skiing banned before sunrise and after sunset because of limited visibility, but Jet Skis are also required to stay more than 60m away from beach shorelines, designated swimming areas and maritime structures (defined as ‘any fixed or floating structures such as anchored or moored vessels, boat ramps, jetties, wharves, marinas or buoys’).

There are speed limits, too: Jet Skis must slow to less than six knots in areas of proximity to people in the water, and six knots when around maritime structures. Jet Skis and other motorised water vehicles are also required to give way to sailing vessels at all times.

All the laws are available for viewing online, and all registered and complying businesses will be familiar with the laws and educate riders before their session.
For more information, visit www.dot.abudhabi.ae (800 88 888).

Access all areas?

Bans have been implemented in various locations around the city, including the Corniche waters between Abu Dhabi Island and Lulu Island, the Al Raha beach area, off Saadiyat Island’s northern coastline, Eastern Mangroves, and between the bridges in the Maqta’a and Al Bateen areas. Generally other areas are acceptable provided Jet Skis maintain distance between shores, swimmers and allocated signed areas. Riders are often seen in the waters around Gate City, off the shores at Marina Breakwater and in the Al Bateen waters away from the marina area.
For a map, visit www.dot.abudhabi.ae.