It is imposing stricter rules on how these parasailing operators carry on their business.
City Council statistics show 13 parasailing accidents had been recorded until September. Last year, there were about 20 incidents.
The new measures include a stricter demerit system, which will suspend watersport operators found flouting the rules, a new take-off and landing zone and a flag-based wind speed warning system.
State Local Government Committee Chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the main change would be the compulsory use of a winch boat system for all parasailing activities.
He said this winch system would launch parasails in the middle of the sea, instead of at the beachfront.
This will be a requirement for all operators offering the service from Jan 1 next year.
“The use of winch boats for parasailing activities may avoid accidents where a person may land on a tree or have the harness trapped by objects on the beach.
“The winch boats will allow the persons sailing (parascenders) to take off and land safely as the harness is controlled by boatmen on the sea,” he said at a press conference at the city council offices in Komtar today.
Currently, operators launch parascenders from the beachside, while towed by a boat.
This practice has been largely criticised for not being safe, with many landing on trees, suffering broken limbs or bruising themselves after landing or being flung sideways due to choppy winds.
Watersport operators say most parascenders, especially tourists, do not heed safety instructions given to them before take-off.
An operator had also reported that many overweight people insisted on being on the parasail despite weight restrictions and the inherent dangers.
Besides that, they also blamed poor weather for causing accidents.
Chow said a demerit system for those flouting water sport rules would be strictly enforced. Errant operators may have their licences suspended, cancelled or be blacklisted.
He said a special inquiry board had been formed to collate information on the demerit points and to hear cases from time to time, under the Community Services Department of the city council.
Under the current demerit system, operators can get the maximum 50 points if found to be offering services without a permit, operating without insurance, subletting their permits to a third party, or riding jet-skis in a dangerous manner.
Other minor offences can fetch them 20 points.
“Those involved in parasailing accidents will first get a warning letter. If it happens again, we will suspend them,” said the city council’s corporate department director, Mohamed Akbar Mustapha.
“We are also aware that strong winds may cause sails to crash on trees. The Civil Defence Department has suggested that we use a set of flags to indicate wind conditions.”
Red flags will be raised when there are choppy winds and green flags during safe wind conditions.
Chow said 24 closed-circuit television cameras were operating at various parts of the beach and these will be used to monitor watersport activities there.
Chow said the new rules have been communicated to Penang Watercraft Operators’ Association Chairman Louis Lim and Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter Chairman Khoo Boo Lim.
Louis said his members had accepted the proposed changes set by the authorities.