Swimmers row with council after sea rafts removed over health and safety fears
Two platforms, which had been in place 300 yards off Weymouth beach in Dorset since 1939, were removed at the beginning of the summer holidays after risk assessment advice from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
But residents have now staged a protest against Weymouth town council, criticising the measure as an 'overreaction'.
Almost 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for the pontoons to be reinstated as soon as possible.
Members of the Weymouth Bluetits swimming club took to the sea to protest against their removal and demand they be returned.
The council said that the rafts had been deemed a 'blind spot for the lifeguards', which 'therefore pose a risk to members of the public'.
As a result Weymouth town council's insurance company refused to provide cover in the event of claim for incident or accident for less than £30m.
Christine James, from the Weymouth Bluetits swimming club, said she was 'really angry' as the rafts had been in place for 'decades without the need for insurance'.
She added: 'They were something that was fun for everyone and helped keep people fit.
'We go out there and push the kids off and sit and have a chat for a while before swimming back.
'Anybody who goes into the sea does so at their own risk. Why can't the council just put up signs saying, 'Use the rafts at your own risk'?
'Taking them away is only going to encourage the kids to jump off the harbour wall or the rock groynes, which is unsafe.'
Tim Spooner, a resident, said the rafts 'are a much-loved feature of the beach'.
He added: 'It does seem like an overreaction from the town council and I will be supporting any cause to have them reinstated.'
Jade O'Brien, who launched a petition to the council, said: 'For over 40 years the rafts have stood in these waters, providing safe recreation and cherished experiences for generations.
'Weymouth town council decided to remove these beloved rafts, citing safety concerns of blind spots to the lifeguard on duty.
'However, incidents have been rare, and Greenhill Beach has consistently maintained a strong safety record. It doesn't make sense.'
A spokesman for the council said: 'The RNLI have informed us that the swim rafts are 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.
'The safety of residents and visitors must come first. This means that we have no option but to remove our swim rafts in the sea at Greenhill.
A spokesman for the RNLI explained that the swimming rafts had 'always' been outside its lifeguards' primary response area, which is between its red and yellow flags and up to 300 metres out.
He added: 'Nothing has changed from previous years in terms of our operating procedures or areas of responsibility.
'The council owns and manages their swim rafts. They have always been located outside of the RNLI lifeguards' primary response area.
'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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