A jet ski group has hit back at calls to ban the crafts from Loch Lomond amid claims of “incredibly dangerous” behaviour.
Jackie Baillie MSP says there has been a huge increase in the high-speed water vehicles on the loch since the pandemic began over two years ago.
She said many are unregistered and blasted those who drive them while drunk and at dangerous speeds, during a debate in parliament last week.
The Labour politician said she was increasingly of the view they sho
uld be banned from the loch completely.
But a Loch Lomond jet ski group said her comments are “ill-informed” and that enforcing safe use is the answer - not a blanket ban.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Baillie said: “Many of the jet skis on Loch Lomond are not registered.
“They are launching at different points on the loch and the behaviour of some users is incredibly dangerous.
“Driving whilst drunk, driving whilst using drugs, buzzing swimmers close to the shoreline and travelling at dangerous speeds is becoming all too common.
“Enforcement is clearly challenging, and when I asked the Scottish Government how many people have been charged by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from 1999 to August 2021, the number was precisely three.
“That’s simply not good enough. The debate now is whether to allow jet skis at all, to confine them to parts of the
loch. And I have to say, given the problems with enforcement I am increasingly of the view that they shouldn’t be allowed at all.”
But her comments have sparked anger from the jet ski community, who say her comments paint all users in a negative light.
Loch Lomond Boats and Jet Skis, which has more than 6,300 members, is calling on the MSP and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority to work with them to tackle the issues.
The Loch Lomond byelaws are being reviewed this year and a public consultation will be launched by the authority later this summer, which will cover a range of issues including motorised craft.
A spokesman for the jet ski group said: “In response to Ms Baillie’s comments, as a group of over 6300 members we condemn irresponsible behaviour on the loch and support the park authority in enforcing existing byelaws effectively.
"We feel very strongly that Ms Baillie’s comments are completely ill-informed and paint every user of a jet ski in a very bad light which is quite simply not the case.
“Our community promote responsible behaviour at all times when on the loch and contribute hugely to the local economy in both business and organise charity events that raise thousands of pounds for Loch Lomond Rescue Boat which in turn benefit every user of the loch from swimmers, to boaters, paddleboarders and jetskiers.
“We invite both Ms Baillie and the park authority to engage with us to come up with a strategy to tackle any antisocial behaviour.
“To simply call for a ban of all jet skis is a wholly disproportionate response. How would the motorcycle community react if motorcycles were banned from the roads due to a few reckless riders?”
Ms Baillie’s comments came during a debate on creating a new national park.
She told how the park welcomed four million visitors every year which boosted the local economy but was a challenge too, commenting: “Everything from litter, antisocial behaviour, wild camping and cars gridlocking narrow streets have challenged the park to constantly improve its visitor management.
“Byelaws were put in place in 2007, reviewed in 2012 and added to over the years, covering everything from wild camping to speed limits on the loch and the registration of powercraft. “
The use of jet skis came to an end on Lake Windermere in 2005 after speed restrictions were put in place and the MSP says there has been a gradual increase in jet ski registrations on Loch Lomond since.
She says jet skis on the loch have risen “exponentially” during the last two years due to the increase in staycations.
But the group say this is incorrect, adding: “We have reviewed the statistics relating to vessel numbers and the claim that there has been an “exponential increase” in numbers simply isn’t true.
“It is also the case that the events of the past two years due to the pandemic are not an accurate representation of statistics given the numbers of people holidaying at home rather than going abroad. For balance, we should look at the preceding decade.”
Speaking afterwards, Ms Baillie, said she recognises there are responsible jet ski owners but has been “inundated” with messages from concerned locals.
She added: “I am always keen to work closely with local communities and stakeholders but we need effective solutions that will address this growing problem.”
Kenny Auld, head of visitor services at the national park authority, said everyone using the loch should have safety in the forefront of their mind and show respect for others.
He said: “National park rangers carry out daily patrols both on land and on the water, speaking to visitors to provide advice and enforcing byelaws on Loch Lomond.
“Where necessary, this enforcement is supported by Police Scotland.”
