Sea rafts removed to avoid 'potential tragedy'

Popular swimming rafts that have been a regular summer feature off a beach have been removed due to safety concerns.

The swim-up platforms, that were anchored off a stretch of Weymouth beach at Greenhill in Dorset, were removed last week.

Weymouth Town Council said the pontoons "create a blind spot" for lifeguards.

More than 2,400 people have signed a petition calling for them to be reinstated.

The town council said it had been informed by the RNLI that the rafts were "outside of the lifeguard's primary response area".

"They create a blind spot for the lifeguards which operate on the beach and therefore pose a risk to members of the public," it added.

"We understand this will be disappointing in the short term. But in order to avoid a potential tragedy from happening in this stretch of the sea at Greenhill, we have no choice but to act on the advice flagged to us by the RNLI."

Following the decision, local resident, Jade O'Brien started the online petition urging the town council to reconsider.

She said the rafts had been used safely for more than 40 years and were "integral to our community".

"They encourage children to exercise, learn to swim, and develop water confidence.

"By removing them, we are not only subtracting an element of enjoyment but also diminishing the vitality of Greenhill Beach," her petition stated.

The RNLI said: "Lifeguards have always taken a proactive approach to managing the safety of water users in and around the rafts, despite it being outside of their immediate responsibility.

"The RNLI has no position regarding the use of swimming rafts by landowners but shares information regarding lifeguard operations and limitations to support landowners in their risk assessment process."

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