Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team are pleading to both Islanders and holidaymakers to not climb, or jump off, the groyne on Ventnor beach.
During Ventnor’s recent coastal safety patrols alongside their extremely busy year of call-outs, Coastguard Rescue Officers have had to speak to several youths this summer about climbing the groyne and jumping off of it on Ventnor Beach.
Their message is clear:
“Please DO NOT climb this structure and jump off into the sea – it is very shallow and the outcome could be catastrophic.
“Enjoy the rest of the summer and give us a wave if you see us out and about.”
A groyne is built perpendicular to the shore and is a rigid hydraulic structure built from an ocean shore to the sea wall that interrupts water flow and limits the movement of sediment. In this case, the groyne at Ventnor is made of wood.
You can see this structure located near to the Spyglass Inn at the Western end of the seafront.
There are signs displayed on the wooden structure telling people ‘DANGER KEEP OFF’ but are still being ignored.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
Get help faster by giving emergency services your exact location by using ///what3words.
what3words have divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, which means when you are in a remote area of the Isle of Wight you can get assistance much quicker without the need for local knowledge.
Well of course the kids are ignoring the ‘danger keep off’ sign. When do the youth of today ever do as they are told? You can’t teach STUPID! Where are these kids parents, nowhere to be seen I suppose.
As to ‘when do the youth of today ever do as they’re told’ I would like to ask the question to you as didn’t you in your youth get up to risky things etc., If the truth be known we’ve all been guilty of doing something stupid in our youth. My parents were strict like many others and they would have gone berserk if they found out some of the exploits i got up to with my mates. A lot of it was showing off in front of the girls. Yes it can be dangerous but don’t always blame the parents.
Because kids never did anything like that 20. 30, 50 years ago.
They’re teenagers! Doing what teenagers do. Did your parents follow you when you went out at that age? Obviously it’s dangerous but that’s why they do it. They know the risks. Hopefully they’ll listen to the coastguard but I won’t hold my breath!
Likely on f.b, boring some equally dull ‘muvver’.
They don’t do it because it’s dangerous, they do it because it’s FUN! Best thing is to provide something which is FUN but safe, but not over protective with safety devices and youth leaders etc, etc.
where did the other ‘story’ go about those naughty naughty trio who walked to the fort
You’ve probably found the story of 3 naughty trio if not it’s on the front page when entering ‘ Isle of Wight echo’. It can be found on clicking on ‘breaking news’ & ‘news’.