In a recent hearing at Salisbury Crown Court where a man was charged with riding his jet ski in contravention of Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (Conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals), the judge ruled that a jet ski was a ship in the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act and that the legislation applied.

As a result the man pleaded guilty to the offence. The penalty for this offence is on summary conviction, a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine, or both.