People using jet-skis on the Liffey in recent days were breaking the law, Dublin Port Company said yesterday.
There were several sightings of jet-skiers in the city centre over the Bank Holiday weekend, but they were not related to the St Patrick's Festival.
A spokeswoman for Dublin Port Company said the use of jet-skis on the Liffey was forbidden under the Harbours Act (1996).
Penalties for using jet-skis include fines of almost €2,000 and up to a year in prison. The Garda Water Unit regularly patrols the Liffey to ensure that regulations are not broken.
However, a Garda spokesman said he had not heard of any offences committed over the weekend.
The authorities have recently tried to clamp down on the use of fast craft in confined areas. In January, Dublin Port Company sent a notice to mariners warning that owners of jet-skis and power-propelled boats were liable to prosecution if they did not adhere to the regulations.
"Water skiing or aquaplaning behind speedboats or fast jet-skiing is entirely prohibited when within 200 metres of any public beach, bathing place or residential property within the jurisdiction of the Dublin Port Company," the notice stated.
If people see jet-skis being used on the Liffey they could report the incidents to the Garda Water Unit, Dublin Port Company or the Harbour Police.
Last July, the Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, introduced safety regulations banning people under 16 years from using jet-skis and fast power crafts.
They also made lifejackets mandatory for fast crafts and banned the consumption of alcohol and drugs while using jet-skis.
