UK to investigate jet ski accidents from 17 April 2026

From Friday 17 April 2026, marine accident investigators in the UK will be able to examine crashes involving jet skis and other powered leisure craft. Ministers have used a Statutory Instrument to amend the 2023 Watercraft Order so investigations under section 267 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 clearly cover watercraft, and to plug in the accident reporting rules used at sea. We’ll walk you through what that means for you as a rider, and for local authorities. (gov.uk)

Before we get into what you need to do, a quick primer. A Statutory Instrument (SI) is secondary legislation: Parliament gives a department permission to update how a law works, and the department uses an SI to make those changes. In this case, the Department for Transport is tidying and clarifying an earlier order so the same safety system applies to watercraft as well as ships.

So what does section 267 do? It establishes the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and enables investigations into accidents involving UK ships and any ships in UK waters, with detailed procedures set in regulations. Extending this framework to watercraft means the same style of safety investigation can follow when a serious incident involves a jet ski or similar powered craft, not just a ship. (faolex.fao.org)

Now, what counts as a “watercraft” in law? The 2023 Order says it is any mechanically powered craft used on water that can carry one or more people, but it is not a ship or a fishing vessel. If you’re picturing personal watercraft such as jet skis, you’re in the right place. (legislation.gov.uk)

Here’s the headline change for riders. When an accident happens, the person using the watercraft is treated like the “master” of a ship for reporting purposes. You must tell the Chief Inspector as soon as practicable and by the quickest means available; owners should ensure it’s reported too. The same approach applies to preserving evidence, so investigators may expect your craft and recordings to be handled as they would be at sea. (legislation.gov.uk)

What should you actually report? Focus on accidents that cause a death or serious injury, the loss of a craft, or serious damage; the MAIB also looks at serious incidents where safety lessons are likely. Report promptly and stick to the facts-then the Branch decides whether to open a full safety investigation. (legislation.gov.uk)

If you run a hire centre or club, your responsibilities remain clear. The 2023 Order already imported offences for dangerous use and the owner’s duty to secure safe operation; those continue to apply alongside the new investigation coverage. In short: keep your safety management tight and your reporting lines clear. (legislation.gov.uk)

Harbour teams should note that the existing duty to notify the MAIB when an accident happens in or adjacent to a harbour still applies. Expect more notifications involving powered leisure craft once the change starts on 17 April. (legislation.gov.uk)

How investigations work-and what powers apply-matters for fairness. MAIB safety work is about learning, not blame; the regulations say the sole objective is to prevent future accidents. Inspectors can, where needed, restrict access to a craft and require it to be kept available while evidence is secured, and they carry legal powers to board craft and examine documents when discharging investigation functions. (legislation.gov.uk)

A note on scope beyond the beach. The amendment clarifies that the accident investigation duty can extend to watercraft that are eligible to be registered in the UK, not just to registered ships, giving the MAIB clearer reach where a serious case involves a UK‑connected watercraft. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)

Why a correction at all? Parliament’s Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments previously said the 2023 Watercraft Order could be clearer about references to the Merchant Shipping Act. The Department for Transport consulted and drafted this amending order to tidy those points and to ensure accidents involving watercraft can be investigated without doubt. (publications.parliament.uk)

What it means for your next ride is simple and practical. From 17 April 2026, across the UK, treat any serious jet ski or powered leisure craft incident the way you’d treat a serious road collision: make the scene safe, get help, notify the MAIB quickly, and keep evidence intact until investigators say otherwise. That’s how we protect each other and learn fast.