A collision between a jet ski operated by a 17-year-old girl and a towed inflatable off Protaras on Saturday afternoon injured two passengers and left the teenage operator requiring hospital treatment.
Police said the jet ski collided with an inflatable carrying five people. A 48-year-old man and a seven-year-old girl aboard the inflatable were injured, while the 17-year-old was taken to Archbishop Makarios III Hospital for treatment.
Police are investigating the circumstances and cause of the collision.
Under Cyprus law, anyone under the age of 17 is prohibited from operating a personal watercraft, commonly known as a jet ski.
A 17-year-old may be issued a learner vessel operator’s licence but must be accompanied by someone holding the appropriate licence for the vessel and the area of navigation. A full operator’s licence is available from the age of 18.
The rules are set out in the Recreational Navigation in the Republic and Other Related Matters Law of 2026, which was approved by parliament earlier this year.
To obtain a full operator’s licence, applicants must complete an approved training programme and pass examinations organised by the competent authority in cooperation with the Cyprus Sailing Federation.
The legislation also contains separate provisions for rented jet skis and other Category B motorised vessels.
Under specified conditions, a person without a full operator’s licence may operate a rented recreational vessel with an engine output of up to 85 kilowatts and a maximum speed of 35 knots. For rented jet skis, the limits are 135 kilowatts and 45 knots.
The craft must be provided by a beach-based water sports and recreational business and used for a specified journey within a limited geographical area and for a restricted period.
Licensed operators may use rented recreational vessels without restrictions on engine output. For rented jet skis, they may operate craft with an engine output of up to 150 kilowatts, subject to the applicable geographical and time limits.
The law also establishes potential liability for owners and rental operators. An owner or representative who expressly or implicitly allows a vessel to be used in a way that constitutes an offence may be prosecuted as an accomplice.
They may avoid liability if they can demonstrate in court that they were unaware of the offence and that it did not result from an act or omission on their part.
Jet skis must also be legally registered and carry the required circulation licence.
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