Visitors banned from accessing part of Newquay's harbour amid 'tombstoning' fears
Officials are warning people not to treat our harbours 'like playgrounds'
Last updated 19th Aug 2022
A fresh warning is going out not to treat Cornwall's most popular and working harbours 'like playgrounds', with officials saying people are ignoring signs telling them not to jump in or swim.
It has come to a head in Newquay, where visitors are being banned from accessing its North Quay.
A gate with a coded padlock is being installed, that will allow access to fishermen and other bona fide harbour users but not the public.
Cornwall Council Maritime Manager Chris Jones said: "Some people are continuing to ignore safety signs banning diving, jumping into harbours, and swimming.
"Unfortunately, people don't always appreciate that these by laws and signs are there for a very good reason – to stop people getting seriously injured or even killed".
Newquay Harbour Master, Kimberley Johnson, said: "We don’t want to stop anyone having a good time but it's important to realise that this is a working harbour which means tombstoning, swimming and effectively treating the harbour as a playground is dangerous, both to those doing it and those who are affected by such behaviour, like our fishermen, who rely on the harbour for their livelihood".
Swimmers who want to jump in to the sea are being urged to consider joining a coasteering group and go in the sea with a professional, to help them learn about the risks involved.
However it is not just Newquay. Harbour Masters across Cornwall are issuing a joint warning to prevent the risk of severe injuries as a result of misuse.
Harbour Master for Truro and Penryn, Mark Killingback, said: "Thrill seekers that take part in tombstoning put themselves and others at risk for their entertainment. I have been there in the past when ambulances have arrived and spoken to parents of injured youths. It’s not something you think will happen to you but sadly it can, and it does".
Penzance Harbour Master James Broughton says: "We are a busy working harbour. Our main points of concern are two-fold. We, like other harbours, have seen an influx of yachtsmen and leisure craft this summer who will rightly be concentrating on the arrival procedure rather than looking out for unexpected swimmers.
"Swimmers in the harbour who often swim alone, without using hi-vis swim caps or floats, are putting themselves and others at risk as they can’t easily be spotted. There have been several incidents where swimmers have had close encounters with large commercial ships whilst arriving or departing from the harbour".
Mark continued: “Our second concern, again as it is for all harbours, is tombstoning which can be highly dangerous as you don’t know what there may be under the water. We have signs around the harbour saying no jumping, diving, swimming, tombstoning and to warn of motorised craft in operation, but we can’t be there 24/7 to remonstrate with people who ignore the signs.
“Most people understand the reasons why these activities are not allowed in the harbour but there are always some that think they know better".
He added that people should use the dedicated swim area off Jubilee Pool for swimming in open water and Abbey Basin for swimming and paddleboarding.
With harbours becoming extremely busy at this time of year, Councillor Loïc Rich, Chair of the Cornwall Harbours Board said: "We are asking anyone who is planning on jumping into the water to put their safety first. I’d also ask that parents keep track of their children’s activities and remind them of the dangers of tombstoning.
"Submerged objects may not be visible, the depth of the water can dramatically change, and you don’t know what hazards may be lurking under the surface. Water temperature can also cause cold water shock which makes it difficult to swim. Jumping from height into the water can and has caused serious injury and death".
If anyone gets in to difficulty by the coast, you can call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.