New harbour measures to protect swimmers and boats

Measures have been put in place to improve safety for sea swimmers and boat users.

Changes at St Catherine's harbour have included a five-knot (5.9mph) speed limit, clearer signs and guidance and a new swimming platform off the slipway, Ports of Jersey said.

Harbour master Bill Sadler emphasised no activities in the harbour were being restricted, and said it was a trial, as well as partly an exercise to try to "influence behaviour".

He added measures had been required because there were more people enjoying the harbour and there had been about a dozen near misses a year between swimmers and boats, as well as between boats and other boats.

The harbour master said there had been an increase in long distance swimming and events such as triathlons.

He said there had also been a rise in the number of rigid inflatable boats (RIB) taking people on trips to the nearby reefs and other islands.

Ports bosses said a navigational risk assessment had been done, as well as a consultation with commercial RIB operators, the sailing club, long-distance swimming clubs and the Marine Resources team.

Sadler said: "We're not limiting any swimming. These aren't hard rules... so this doesn't impact anyone who wants to do long-distance swimming or any activity."

People were also being asked to use their common sense, he added.

Cole McLean, owner of Sauna Society, welcomed the changes and investment in harbour, but added he would like a new entrance for swimmers so they would not have to go through a boating channel.

He suggested "a separate swimmers' entrance with pre-cast concrete steps or some prefabricated steps which come down maybe past the top of the slipway by the bus stop and into the water that way".

He also said showers should be installed as more people appeared to be staying in the area for longer.

Island RIB Voyages skipper Mike Robbins said the trial was a good idea because, without it, "swimming in the water has been really dangerous".

He added separating activities would help and people had not been deterred from swimming.

He said: "The swimming area is great, all we need is some signage to tell people that they need to be staying in that area."

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