When Garry Beadle and Paul Richards started Sussex Marine Watersports, they wanted to improve the image of jet bike users and improve the safety record.

Paul, manager of a Brighton club by night, runs the company, based at Half Tide Quay, Southwick, with former motor salesman Garry. Both have been keen jet bike riders for ten years.

Paul said: "Over the past four years we have noticed the reputation of jet ski and jet bike riders has been getting worse but this is mainly through ignorance because they don't understand the rules and responsibilities that go with using personal watercraft.

"Riders go out to sea without life jackets and flares and they use beaches without regard for swimmers. It's no wonder they have such a poor reputation with the public.

"We include in our sales package full training and demonstrations of the use of the machine, explanations of the bylaws and rules of the sea.

"It is important every customer understands the regulations and safety aspects of the sport.

"At Shoreham, we have worked with the Port Authority to establish a safety programme for users. They are now happy for jet bikes to use the port.

Garry said: "It is a fun sport and we don't want to take the fun out of it. But I'm sure customers will understand their own safety and the safety of people around them is important."

All jet bikes from Sussex Marine Watersports will be registered and have a Shoreham Port Authority badge.

Paul and Garry want to encourage anyone with a complaint against a jet bike user to contact them and they will take up the complaint.

Garry said: "Every jet bike will have a registration number that's all we need to trace the owner.

"We are determined to improve the image of the sport. That's how we will measure our success."