'Reckless' behaviour in Portsmouth waters as jet skiers do donuts near RFA Wave Knight as she's towed away

“Reckless” use of water sports vessels is on the rise in Portsmouth as jet skiers were spotted doing donuts near a moving naval vessel.

Onlookers were shocked to see the group speeding close to RFA Wave Knight as she was towed from HMNB Portsmouth yesterday afternoon (May 27). Four tug boats were hauling the 196.5 metre long vessel past The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth when the jet skiers began their acrobatics and rushing past the vessel at high speeds.

The Wave-class tanker weighs 31,500 tonnes and is en-route to Merseyside to be reactivated and brought back to operational service. An anti-social behaviour notice has been issued by the King’s Harbour Master (KHM) following reports of anti-social behaviour and the misuse of such watercraft.

They said they “continue to receive reports concerning the operation of personal watercraft (PWC) and other vessels within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, including allegations relating to excessive speed, navigation without due care and caution, misuse of the Small Boat Channel, and conduct impeding the safe passage of commercial vessels”.

The KHM cited Section 50 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, and The Merchant Shipping Watercraft Order 2023, as grounds to take action if necessary. “Mariners are reminded that dangerous, negligent, or reckless operation of vessels may constitute offences under this legislation in addition to offences under local harbour regulations,” they added.

“The King’s Harbour Master treats reports of unsafe or anti-social behaviour on the water seriously and will investigate alleged offences where appropriate. However, any enforcement action must be proportionate and supported by sufficient evidence to satisfy the relevant evidential thresholds.”

The authority said reports made to them need to identify the vessel or watercraft and the operator if possible, alongside evidence of the alleged offence or unsafe conduct and corroborating information or witness evidence. If this evidential threshold is met, reports can be passed on to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, or the Ministry of Defence Police.

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Seafarers and the public are encouraged to report incidents promptly with as much detail as they can, including the date and time of the incident, precise location, description of the craft involved, registration numbers or distinguishing features, description of the operator, photographs or video footage, and witness details.

The warning comes as anti-social behaviour rose dramatically at the Hotwalls and in Southsea over the Bank Holiday weekend. Scorching temperatures rose up to 30C in that time. A “dedicated police and staff presence” will continue for the rest of the week. Groups of around 150 young people gathered at the Hotwalls amid reports of “aggressive and intimidating” behaviour, with yobs chasing vehicles down the street as well as shouting and swearing.

“KHM works in cooperation with Hampshire Police and the Ministry of Defence Police in relation to marine safety and enforcement activity within the Dockyard Port. Each organisation operates within its own statutory responsibilities and operational priorities,” they said. “Mariners are advised that KHM patrol and enforcement resources are necessarily limited and must be targeted proportionately towards areas of greatest safety risk and operational requirement. Information received from harbour users assists in directing patrol activity, identifying trends, and supporting proportionate enforcement action.

“All harbour users are reminded of their responsibility to navigate safely, with due care and consideration for other water users, commercial traffic, and harbour operations.”