MINORS WITH ''TAMPERED'' IDENTITIES RENT JET SKIS - THEY ADD BEARDS OR CHANE AGES WITH THE HELP OF TECHNOLOGY - WHAT THE PROFESSIONALS COMPLAIN ABOUT - Filenews 22/8 by Vassos Vassiliou
The human mind does not fit the methods used by minors in order to deceive water sports licensees in order to manage to rent jet skis.
As the president of the Pancyprian Water Sports Federation, Mr. Dimitris Hadjidimitriou, told "F", the practice was started by foreign underage tourists and was also "transmitted" to Cypriots.
As Mr. Hatzidimitriou explained, it is observed that minors turn to water sports managers in order to rent Jet skis with their ID photo altered, so that they look like adults.
The human mind does not fit the methods used by minors in order to deceive water sports licensees in order to manage to rent jet skis.
As the president of the Pancyprian Water Sports Federation, Mr. Dimitris Hadjidimitriou, told "F", the practice was started by foreign underage tourists and was also "transmitted" to Cypriots.
As Mr. Hatzidimitriou explained, it is observed that minors turn to water sports managers in order to rent Jet skis with their ID photo altered, so that they look like adults.
As Mr. Hatzidimitriou explained, answering a relevant question from "F", the new practice was started by foreign tourists but also spread to Cypriots. What is this practice: Minors, using technology and specifically applications, alter their photo on their identity by adding a beard to show that they are older, in order to be able to rent a Jet ski. Of course, with them they do not carry their identity but photograph it with their mobile phone and what they present is essentially an altered identity photo.
The other trick they do, also with the use of technology, is to put their brother's photo on their ID, especially when it looks like them, or even to alter their date of birth.
Asked how often this phenomenon is observed, Mr. Hatzidimitriou said that every day there are cases of alteration of the details or characteristics of minors in their attempt to manage to rent speedboats.
Gradually this became noticeable, so at least licensed water sports managers were informed to be more meticulous when at first glance they assess that the prospective customer is a minor.
Mr. Hatzidimitriou stated that he, in his capacity as president of the Association, informed his licensed colleagues, to whom he recommended to be careful and in fact, for better information of all, sessions were held during which the specific issue was raised.
As he said, some insist on showing their identity as it was photographed, after it was altered, on their mobile phone. The advice given to licensees is to ask the prospective customer to present his birth certificate or passport, when he insists that he is an adult.
It is also observed that some minors are accompanied by an adult, who comes stating that he is the father of the minor and states that he certifies that the child he is accompanying is an adult. However, when adults are asked to co-sign the binding declaration on the basis of which it is confirmed that the person who will operate the jet ski is an adult, instead of signing, taking responsibility, they leave.
The president of the Water Sports Association told "F", that for a minor to operate a jet ski, especially without having experience, is more than dangerous, not only for himself but for anyone who is in the area he will pass through. Because, if the speedboat escapes the young man, no one knows where it will end up.
According to Mr. Hatzidimitriou, there are Jet skis that develop a speed of up to 150 kilometers, so it is understood that even if one is experienced, when such speeds are developed it is easier to lose control.
As he noted, the new legislation has included a provision that sets limits on the speed that a jet ski can develop. Specifically, the maximum speed that high-speed boats can develop is set at 45 knots, which translates into about 70 kilometers.
In addition, the horsepower of the speedboats offered for rent is also limited.
Mr. Hatzidimitriou said that professional water sports managers have an electronic mechanism that controls the speed of the Jet ski and if it enters the departure or return channel to the beach, the speed is automatically reduced. Also, if it enters a bathing area, its speed decreases while an alarm sounds. Mr. Hatzidimitriou clarified, however, that not all systems are so sophisticated.
Another precautionary measure that works in some of the systems concerns the interconnection of all jet skis of the same licensed operator, which automatically reduces their speed when one approaches the other at a distance of less than 50 meters.
The entrepreneur can also determine the safe sailing area. That is, with the use of a special device, it "carves" the space in which a speedboat can move and if it exceeds the specified limits, then a signal is sent which automatically limits the speed of the speedboat.
The regulations of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping
The regulations of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping concerning the Movement of high-speed vessels also provide for the following:
> The movement of high-speed boats within the channels located between bathing areas, as well as in any other sea area at a distance of up to 100 meters from the nearest coast, is done at a speed that does not exceed 3 knots (about three nautical miles per hour).
> It is forbidden to remove water scooters (jet skis) beyond 700 meters from the nearest shore as well as to use them at a distance of less than 100 meters from clearly visible signs (buoys) in bathing areas.
> For the period from October 1st to April 30th, the circulation of water scooters is prohibited from sunset to sunrise.
Obligations of High-Speed Craft Operators
> It is forbidden to operate a speedboat without an operator's license.
> Passengers must carry a life jacket or buoyancy aid and sit only in the designated seats.
> It is forbidden to operate a speedboat in a manner that may endanger the life or physical integrity or property of any person, or in a manner that may cause a nuisance.
-It is forbidden to drive in bathing areas.
The other trick they do, also with the use of technology, is to put their brother's photo on their ID, especially when it looks like them, or even to alter their date of birth.
Asked how often this phenomenon is observed, Mr. Hatzidimitriou said that every day there are cases of alteration of the details or characteristics of minors in their attempt to manage to rent speedboats.
Gradually this became noticeable, so at least licensed water sports managers were informed to be more meticulous when at first glance they assess that the prospective customer is a minor.
Mr. Hatzidimitriou stated that he, in his capacity as president of the Association, informed his licensed colleagues, to whom he recommended to be careful and in fact, for better information of all, sessions were held during which the specific issue was raised.
As he said, some insist on showing their identity as it was photographed, after it was altered, on their mobile phone. The advice given to licensees is to ask the prospective customer to present his birth certificate or passport, when he insists that he is an adult.
It is also observed that some minors are accompanied by an adult, who comes stating that he is the father of the minor and states that he certifies that the child he is accompanying is an adult. However, when adults are asked to co-sign the binding declaration on the basis of which it is confirmed that the person who will operate the jet ski is an adult, instead of signing, taking responsibility, they leave.
The president of the Water Sports Association told "F", that for a minor to operate a jet ski, especially without having experience, is more than dangerous, not only for himself but for anyone who is in the area he will pass through. Because, if the speedboat escapes the young man, no one knows where it will end up.
According to Mr. Hatzidimitriou, there are Jet skis that develop a speed of up to 150 kilometers, so it is understood that even if one is experienced, when such speeds are developed it is easier to lose control.
As he noted, the new legislation has included a provision that sets limits on the speed that a jet ski can develop. Specifically, the maximum speed that high-speed boats can develop is set at 45 knots, which translates into about 70 kilometers.
In addition, the horsepower of the speedboats offered for rent is also limited.
Mr. Hatzidimitriou said that professional water sports managers have an electronic mechanism that controls the speed of the Jet ski and if it enters the departure or return channel to the beach, the speed is automatically reduced. Also, if it enters a bathing area, its speed decreases while an alarm sounds. Mr. Hatzidimitriou clarified, however, that not all systems are so sophisticated.
Another precautionary measure that works in some of the systems concerns the interconnection of all jet skis of the same licensed operator, which automatically reduces their speed when one approaches the other at a distance of less than 50 meters.
The entrepreneur can also determine the safe sailing area. That is, with the use of a special device, it "carves" the space in which a speedboat can move and if it exceeds the specified limits, then a signal is sent which automatically limits the speed of the speedboat.
The regulations of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping
The regulations of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping concerning the Movement of high-speed vessels also provide for the following:
> The movement of high-speed boats within the channels located between bathing areas, as well as in any other sea area at a distance of up to 100 meters from the nearest coast, is done at a speed that does not exceed 3 knots (about three nautical miles per hour).
> It is forbidden to remove water scooters (jet skis) beyond 700 meters from the nearest shore as well as to use them at a distance of less than 100 meters from clearly visible signs (buoys) in bathing areas.
> For the period from October 1st to April 30th, the circulation of water scooters is prohibited from sunset to sunrise.
Obligations of High-Speed Craft Operators
> It is forbidden to operate a speedboat without an operator's license.
> Passengers must carry a life jacket or buoyancy aid and sit only in the designated seats.
> It is forbidden to operate a speedboat in a manner that may endanger the life or physical integrity or property of any person, or in a manner that may cause a nuisance.
-It is forbidden to drive in bathing areas.
