How close to swimmers may a jet ski go in Lebanon?

No published Lebanese distance exists that we could source. The safe-speed duty still applies. As a comparative reference, France caps every craft at 5 knots within 300 m of shore; the campaign proposes the same figure for Lebanon.

Do jet ski renters need a licence?

Requirements are set and applied by the maritime authority and vary in practice between operators and ports. We do not publish a licence rule we cannot cite. Ask the operator to show the registration and the briefing they are required to give.

Guide

Jet skis and personal watercraft

Jet skis are fast, shallow-draft and often rented to riders with no training. They reach swimming water in seconds. Here is what governs them, and what does not.

The rules that already bind a rider

A personal watercraft is a vessel. The collision regulations apply to it: a permanent lookout and a speed that is safe for visibility, traffic and the closeness of hazards. Riding fast through or beside people in the water is not compatible with those duties, whatever the beach practice is locally.

What the campaign is asking for

A published near-shore band in which no powered craft, including jet skis, may exceed a slow no-wake speed; buoyed swimming zones; marked entry and exit corridors so craft cross swimming water at one controlled point; and rental operators responsible for briefing and identifying every rider. These are proposals, not current Lebanese law.

Reporting reckless riding

Record the time, the beach, the direction of travel and any registration or rental markings. Send it through our report form. We publish a case only with a cited source, and we never publish a rider's identity or accuse anyone of an offence — that is for the authorities.

Sources

Lateral marks — IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region A)

Lebanon lies in IALA Region A: entering a channel from seaward, port-hand marks are red and starboard-hand marks are green. Every corridor gate in a plan must carry both.

IALA — Maritime Buoyage System (IALA-AISM)

Safe speed and lookout — COLREGs Rules 5 and 6

The international collision regulations require a proper lookout at all times and a safe speed for the visibility, traffic and proximity of navigational hazards — which includes people in the water.

IMO — Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG)

Comparative practice — 300 m shore band at 5 knots (France)

French coastal rules cap all craft at 5 knots inside the 300 m shore band. The campaign uses the same figure as a reference point for Lebanon; it is comparative practice, not Lebanese law.

Légifrance — Code des transports, navigation dans la bande littorale des 300 mètres

Questions

How close to swimmers may a jet ski go in Lebanon?: No published Lebanese distance exists that we could source. The safe-speed duty still applies. As a comparative reference, France caps every craft at 5 knots within 300 m of shore; the campaign proposes the same figure for Lebanon.
Do jet ski renters need a licence?: Requirements are set and applied by the maritime authority and vary in practice between operators and ports. We do not publish a licence rule we cannot cite. Ask the operator to show the registration and the briefing they are required to give.

Local town guides

Beirut (Raouché / Pigeon Rocks)Jounieh Batroun Jbeil (Byblos)Tripoli Tyre (Sour)Saida (Sidon)Damour

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