Latest news with #GreystonesHarbourandMarinebye-laws

Irish Independent

Council clarifies which Wicklow piers permit jumping and diving

The local authority has advised that no swimming, diving or jumping is allowed in Greystones Harbour and Marina, which operates under the Greystones Harbour and Marine bye-laws 2014. Section 2.11 of these bye-laws explicitly states that 'in the interest of safety swimming and diving is prohibited within the breakwaters of Greystones Harbour and Marina', the council said. This regulation aims to ensure that 'swimmers do not obstruct navigational fairways and do not come in contact with moving vessels'. The only exceptions are special swimming regattas or training sessions, which must receive prior approval from the harbour master. In recent years, there have been multiple incidents where individuals have dived from the breakwaters directly in front of vessels entering or exiting the marina. Additionally, Wicklow County Council has received reports of people diving from the breakwaters and interfering with private vessels moored at the pontoons, as well as with safety equipment located there. Currently, Bray Harbour has no bye-laws in place, while Wicklow Harbour does have regulations, though none specifically address diving. Wicklow Harbour consists of a larger body compared to Greystones and has a dedicated swim area which is delineated by yellow marker buoys. Regulation 79 of the Wicklow Harbour bye-laws states that, 'no person shall fish from the end of the piers when there are swimming races in progress or when small open craft or yachts are approaching the ends of the piers'. Regulations 80 goes on to note that 'no person shall while within the harbour behave in a noisy or disorderly manner, or in any manner calculated to cause annoyance to other persons lawfully using or being within the harbour.' The council pointed out that there are various hazards associated with diving from breakwaters and piers in both regulated and unregulated harbours, including moving boats, marine wildlife, like seals and jellyfish, underwater obstructions and tides and strong currents 'It is the responsibility of all harbour users to behave sensibly and ensure their own safety and that of others,' Wicklow County Council concluded.