Freshwater Parish Council is set to increase the number of safety buoys deployed for 2022 at the popular Colwell Bay beach, thanks to sponsorship from ‘The Hut’ restaurant.
10 bright yellow safety buoys were installed around How Ledge, on the north side of Colwell Chine Road, in 2021 following an initiative by Freshwater Parish Council on this part of the beach.
A similar project was carried out by Totland Parish Council to the south, to help ensure the safety of both local and visiting swimmers.
In the past, safety buoys demarcating the lane for boat access to the Colwell Chine slipway were installed by the Isle of Wight Council, but due to funding cuts those buoys have not been put in the water since 2016. This lack of boundaries left swimmers and other beach users at risk from powered craft such as speedboats and jet-skis, and other fast-moving watercraft including windsurf and kite surfing boards which use the bay.
Sponsorship from The Hut will pay for 3 more large yellow buoys, chain and sinkers around How Ledge, a great snorkelling spot thanks to its rock pools teeming with marine life and rare ‘peacock’s tail’ seaweed.
The buoys in Colwell Bay were granted planning permission in 2021 and are licenced by the Marine Management Organisation, Trinity House and the Crown Estate.
Now all we need is for the jet-skiers to comply.
Swimmers should wear bright yellow hats
A good idea Jim, visibility whilst at sea or in the water is especially helpful to others in avoiding hitting/ killing you, and it helps any potential rescue to locate you. People giving you thumbs down are showing their ignorance.
Not if the buoys are bright yellow!
The average sensible human being dosent deliberately hit something they can see.