Pernera jet ski crash renews scrutiny of recreational craft safety

Pernera, Cyprus. A serious jet ski crash on 15 August, in which a 48-year-old father and his seven-year-old daughter were badly injured, has renewed scrutiny of accidents involving recreational craft and personal watercraft in Cyprus waters. Available figures cited by Phileleftheros record 13 deaths and three missing people in sea recreation-related incidents between 2008 and 2025.

Recorded incidents

The figures cover accidents within the jurisdiction of the Marine Accidents and Incidents Investigation Section of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping and do not include serious injuries.

Over the 18-year period, the recorded deaths and missing persons amount to almost one person each year.

2017 injury case

One of the best-known cases involved Rachel Hadjittofi, now 33, from the Cypriot community in the UK. She was 24 and on holiday in Cyprus in August 2017 when she was critically injured and at risk of dying from severe bleeding.

A speedboat owned by a Greek Cypriot businessman, who was later sentenced to prison, crossed the path of a towable inflatable on which Hadjittofi was riding. The vessel’s propeller caused a severe laceration to her lower torso, leaving her with life-changing injuries and a lengthy recovery.

Safety concerns

A review of accidents over the past 18 years found that investigators repeatedly identified the human factor as a major issue, including carelessness and failures to follow regulations.

Investigations identified errors and omissions by vessel operators, failures by water sports businesses and other negligent practices. Cases included unauthorised speedboat modifications, inadequate safety measures, excessive speed, illegal activity, children being placed at risk and explosions aboard vessels.

In one case, on 21 July 2010, a personal watercraft collided with a yacht.