Foyle Search and Rescue have made an appeal to those riding jet-skis to have consideration after one of their vessels carrying equipment worth over £150,000 was soaked by a rider.
The volunteer-based search and rescue charity in Derry made the appeal on social media after temperatures rose to the high 20s on Monday.
They said they had been “drenched” by a jet skier after they came close to their boat while training was being carried out – soaking some expensive equipment.
The group, which was founded in 1993 in response to the high number of people who drown in the area, said on social media: “Whilst doing Sonar Training this evening, we were approached on the river by members of the public on jet skis.
“It’s great to see people enjoy the water when they do so safely. However, on this occasion, one member of the group proceeded to drench our boat, our crew and the equipment.
“We were carrying out a survey of the river using equipment that cost in excess of £150,000.
“We would appreciate consideration from those on jet skis when we are in any vessel, whether on a call out, on training or in this instance, carrying out a survey of the river that we hope will in turn help us identify anomalies ie bodies on the river bed.”
Many on social media condemned the actions of the jet skier, commenting that they were acting “recklessly”.
When asked whether their equipment is waterproof, the Derry rescue group replied that it was.
“But the laptop that is used to control it in the cab isn’t and the wake from the jet skis/force of the water can cause unnecessary damage to the equipment,” they said.
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