Two areas of Laxey Harbour will close today to prevent increasingly dangerous conduct from swimmers.
The area of the Outer Breakwater and Harbour Office Jetty will be inaccessible to the public due to continued disregard for safety advice and by-laws.
This action is not taken lightly, and is made with apologies to those who enjoy the amenity value of our harbours, but reflects the level of concern which the activities are now causing.
The Harbours Division of the Department of Infrastructure again urges members of the public to be aware of the dangers associated with the harbour environment and refrain from activity which involves jumping into or swimming in a harbour.
Swimming and jumping into a harbour channel, especially when near to entrances, increases the risk of injury or death from collision with a vessel.
It is an offence under the Harbours Act and by-laws to swim, bathe or dive from any harbour pier or any part of a harbour which lies within a pier head.
The by-laws also give the power to instruct swimmers to leave the harbour and failure to comply with any instruction given by a Harbour Officer can lead to prosecution and a fine up to £5,000.
The Harbours Division has responsibility for public safety in all its harbours and as such will look to exercise and enforce its powers under the Harbours Act should this dangerous activity continue.
