Father fighting for life after jet ski hits inflatable carrying five off Protaras

Local accidentFamagustaTop News Father fighting for life after jet ski hits inflatable carrying five off Protaras 3840px Family On A Jets Ski Holland Relevant News Father fighting for life after jet ski hits inflatable carrying five off Protaras 17 August 2026 Things to do on Monday, August 17 17 August 2026 Filippa Fotopoulou leaps into Cyprus history with career-best European finish 17 August 2026 Natasa Christoforou 17 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A 48-year-old Greek Cypriot man is fighting for his life after a jet ski collided with a towable inflatable carrying him, his seven-year-old daughter and three relatives off Protaras. Police said the man remains in an extremely critical condition in the intensive care unit at Nicosia General Hospital. His daughter, who suffered a fractured skull, is in a stable condition at Makarios Hospital. The marine accident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Pernera area of Paralimni. According to police, a jet ski operated by a 17-year-old Greek Cypriot, with an 18-year-old woman as a passenger, collided in circumstances under investigation with a sofa-style inflatable being towed by another vessel. Five people were aboard the inflatable: two men aged 48 and 43 and three children aged 13, 11 and seven. The seven-year-old suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Makarios Hospital. The 48-year-old sustained multiple injuries to his pelvis and other parts of his body and was initially admitted to Famagusta General Hospital in Paralimni. His condition deteriorated on Sunday, prompting his urgent transfer to Nicosia General Hospital. Police examine jet ski rental procedures Officers from Paralimni Police Station are taking statements as part of efforts to establish why the 17-year-old was operating the jet ski and whether all required rental and safety procedures were followed. The two young women appear to have rented the jet ski from a licensed water sports operator. The rules cited in the investigation state that rental jet ski users must meet the applicable age requirements, receive instruction before operating the vessel and complete a binding declaration. These procedures are now being examined by Famagusta police as they seek to determine the exact circumstances of the collision and whether criminal charges should be brought. A statement will also be taken from the operator of the vessel towing the inflatable. Police said the towable belonged to a different licensed water sports company from the business that rented out the jet ski. What Cyprus law provides Cyprus’s 2026 recreational navigation law, passed by parliament this year, provides for two principal categories of certification: a learner boat operator licence and a level-one motorboat operator licence. The latter applies to vessels measuring less than 12 metres. The law generally prohibits people from operating a vessel without a valid licence. A learner licence holder may operate a boat when accompanied by someone holding the appropriate licence for the vessel and sailing area. A full operator licence may be issued to applicants who: Are at least 18 years old Have successfully completed an approved training programme at an authorised school Have passed examinations organised by the competent authority in cooperation with the Cyprus Sailing Federation A learner operator licence may be issued from the age of 17. The legislation also contains an exception allowing people without an operator licence to use certain rented Category B vessels under specified conditions. This covers rented recreational motorboats with engines of up to 85 kilowatts and speeds of no more than 35 knots, as well as personal watercraft with engines of up to 135 kilowatts and maximum speeds of 45 knots. Their use must be restricted to a defined journey within a limited area and for a limited period. Jet skis fall within Category B when offered for hire by licensed beach-based water sports businesses. Licensed operators may use Category B recreational vessels without engine-power restrictions and rented personal watercraft with engine power of up to 150 kilowatts, subject to the applicable conditions. The law also sets out the potential liability of vessel owners and their representatives. A person who permits a boat to be used in a way that constitutes an offence may be treated as an accomplice and prosecuted unless they can prove they were unaware of the offence and that it did not result from their own action or omission. The Shipping Deputy Ministry is assisting the police investigation in its capacity as the authority responsible for licensing speedboats and regulating operator permits. Jet skis must also be legally registered and carry the required operating licence. Read more: Can a 17-year-old ride a jet ski in Cyprus? What the law says after Protaras crash Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Things to do on Monday, August 17 Filippa Fotopoulou leaps into Cyprus history with career-best European finish Woman, 19, arrested after allegedly assaulting police officer in Ayia Napa Who counts as energy poor in Cyprus? New criteria proposed Can a 17-year-old ride a jet ski in Cyprus? What the law says after Protaras crash Marina Hadjicosta: “Not Cypriot enough,” they said. She proved them wrong. Kushner to hold talks with Netanyahu after rare meeting with Hamas Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.