Speeding leisure craft users in the Teign estuary are being targeted in a hard-hitting warning by Teignmouth Harbourmaster.

Rob Parsons says he’s seen a ‘significant increase’ in leisure craft and jetskis hurtling through the water much faster than the legal limit of six knots.

So far there hasn’t been a serious accident, but several near misses have been reported and are being investigated.

In a blunt social media post, Rob highlighted a fatal accident in Portsmouth Harbour in August 2025. A speeding boat hit a navigation beacon and all three people on board were thrown into the water. One passenger escaped with minor injuries; the driver and the other passenger were killed.

He said the case illustrates how ‘poor decisions and stupidity can result in loss of life’ – and warns that a similar accident could easily happen in local waters.

He said: “Some leisure craft come round the Point and think it’s a free-for-all out to sea, whereas it’s six knots out past the Ness for a reason.

“People that aren’t waterborne mariners don’t understand that things can change very quickly. They’re in control of an exceptionally powered craft, with a minimal qualification - if they have that at all.

“I’m trying to get on top of this and work with people before someone’s injured, because it always seems to be that it’s a fatality or injury that then pushes things to change - and I’m not waiting for that.”

The maximum fine for a conviction of speeding in Teignmouth Harbour is £2,500.

Rob deals with multiple phone calls about speeding vessels, with some people offering video evidence. But he’s advising witnesses to report what they see immediately by ringing the coastguard.

He said: “If you see something dangerous call 999, call the coastguard, that is the best conduit for anything safety-related on the water. The coastguard has the resources - it becomes coordinated and recorded in the best way possible.”