The 48-year-old Greek Cypriot, who was injured along with his 7-year-old daughter, is fighting to stay alive when a jet ski driven by a 17-year-old girl collided with a towed inflatable, in which they were with three other relatives. According to the latest information from the Police, the health condition of the 48-year-old, who is being treated in the ICU of the Nicosia Hospital, is characterized as extremely critical. As for his 7-year-old girl, who has been injured in the head, she is being treated in a stable condition at Makarios Hospital.
The marine accident occurred at noon on Saturday in the Pernera area of Paralimni. According to the Police, a jet ski driven by a 17-year-old woman with an 18-year-old passenger, under circumstances that are being investigated, collided with a sofa-type towed inflatable, in which five people were on board, two men aged 48 and 43 and three minor children, aged 13, 11 and 7.
The 7-year-old was seriously injured in the collision, who suffered a skull fracture and was taken to Makarios Hospital. The 48-year-old, who suffered multiple injuries to the pelvis and other parts of his body, was initially taken to the General Hospital of Famagusta in Paralimni. Yesterday his health condition worsened and he was rushed to the Nicosia General Hospital.
Members of the Paralimni Police Station are taking statements to clarify why the 17-year-old, who is Greek Cypriot, was driving the jet ski. The two girls seem to have rented the jet ski from a licensed water sports owner. It is noted that a jet ski is rented to people over 17 years old, who receive training before using it. The owner of the water sports must also provide the user with a relevant binding declaration to complete before using the jet ski.
All this is under the microscope of the Famagusta Police, which is trying to clarify the circumstances of the serious maritime accident, in order to see if and against whom there will be criminal charges. A deposition will also be received from the user of the second boat on which the inflatable boat was tied. It is noted that this water sport equipment belongs to another licensed company and not to the one that rented the jet ski.
What does the legislation provide?
As Filenews wrote in another issue, the relevant legislation (The Pleasure Navigation in the Republic and Other Related Matters Law of 2026 (4(I)/2026) was passed by the Parliament this year and provides, among other things, the following:
According to the legislation, the boat operator license and the boat operator apprentice license are issued by the competent authority and are classified as follows:
(a) Apprentice boat operator license
(b) Level 1 motor boat operator licence (the level 1 motor boat operator licence is issued for operating vessels less than 12 metres in length).
The law, and specifically chapter 17, provides that:
'A vessel shall not be operated by a person who does not hold a valid pilot's licence. It is understood that the operation of a boat by a holder of an apprentice pilot's license is allowed, provided that it is accompanied by a person who holds the appropriate pilot's license for the vessel and the area of sailing.
In the legislation that also covers operators of boats over 12 meters, in the article in which reference is made to the "Conditions for issuing a pilot's license" it is stated that an operator's license is issued to a candidate who
(a) is at least 18 years of age;
(b) has attended and successfully completed an approved training programme, in accordance with the provisions of Article 22, in an approved school, in accordance with the provisions of Article 23; and
(c) has passed examinations organised by the competent authority in cooperation with the Cyprus Sailing Federation.
Regarding the "apprentice boat operator license" it is stated that "a boat apprentice pilot license is issued to a person who has reached the age of 17".
Article 27 of the legislation provides that "a non-holder of a pilot's license... may, under specific conditions, undertake the operation of motor boats which carry a category B registration certificate with an engine power of up to eighty-five (85) kilowatts and a speed not exceeding 35 knots for recreational boats or personal boats with an engine power of up to 135 kilowatts and with a speed not exceeding 45 knots, which are available for rent from a water sports and recreation company on beaches for the execution of a specific voyage of limited geographical extent and duration'.
It is noted that Jet Skis also fall into category B. Class A boats are those used by their owner or another person (with the owner's permission), free of charge.
As far as holders of a pilot's licence are concerned, they may undertake the operation of motor boats which carry a category B registration for recreational craft without restrictions as to engine power and for individual boats with an engine power of 150 kilowatts, which are available for rent from a water sports and recreational company on beaches for the performance of a specific voyage of limited geographical area and duration.
Regarding the responsibility for renting speedboats, the legislation states that:
"Whenever the owner of a vessel or its representative authorises the use or operation of a vessel with his express or implied approval, in such a way that its use or operation constitutes an offence in accordance with the provisions of the Law or the provisions of the Regulations issued pursuant thereto, the owner of the vessel or his representative shall be considered an accomplice in the commission of the offence and may be prosecuted as a perpetrator and punished accordingly, unless he proves to the court that he was unaware of the commission of the offence and that the offence was not due to an act or omission by him'.
The Deputy Ministry of Shipping also assists in the investigations of the Police, as the competent Authority for the licensing of high-speed boats and the procedure for granting an operator's license.
As far as boats are concerned, e.g. Jet skis must be legally registered and have the prescribed registration certificate.
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