Authority warns small vessel operators to slow near beaches

THE National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) has warned operators of vessels and jet skis to be careful of people swimming at popular recreational areas such as Ela Beach in Port Moresby.
Authority general manager Paul Unas said the speed limit of four knots had to be introduced in popular swimming areas because of the risk of people, mostly children, being hit by vessels travelling at high speed close to the shore.
The authority issued the restrictions to be effective from Aug 18 following a rise in incidents involving jet skis speeding near swimmers.
Unas said under the Small Craft Act 2011, “for the area of Walter Bay in the National Capital District, between the beachfront and a point commencing at the southern point of the reclaimed land at Paga Point and extending in a straight line to the southern point of Apec Haus and then to the southernmost point of the three groynes along Ela Beach, a permanent speed restriction of a maximum of four knots per hour shall apply to all small craft (being craft under 10 meters in length).
“The penalty for exceeding the speed limit ranges from a K500 spot fine to a court fine of up to K50, 000 and or a two-year imprisonment.”