A person on a jet ski and the pilot of a powerboat have been branded ‘reckless’ after they were filmed travelling at speed close to a swimmer and people on a paddle board and not far from the beach.
One of them later had to be rescued by a lifeboat crew after running out of fuel.
Mumbles Coastguard said they were called out at around 7.50pm last night – Tuesday, August 8 – after receiving reports about events taking place at Langland Bay, Swansea.
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“On arrival we met with several very concerned members of the public,” said a social media post from the coastguard.
Footage shot at the scene shows a jet ski being ridden at speed across the length of the bay, and not far from the shore. It circles around a number of times. A swimmer can be seen in the water nearby, along with a power boat and some people sat on what appears to be a paddle board.
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A second video shows the power boat and the jet ski leaving at speed from close in to the bay, once again not far from what appears to be a swimmer.
But the coastguard said both craft had left the area on their arrival. Their search continued to Caswell Bay, however the user of the jet ski and the people in the power boat had also moved on from there.
The coastguard added: “The Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI were paged around 21:15 to a broken down vessel near Limeslade Bay. This turned out to be the vessel from the earlier callout. The vessel was taken under tow to Swansea where the crew were met by South Wales Police.”
The jet ski circling the power boat
(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
The jet ski travels across the bay at speed
(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Commenting on the incident, the coastguard added: “This sort of pleasure craft usage is unacceptable and puts lives in danger. The distance and the excessive speed they pass the swimmer at is reckless.
“We’re asking any witnesses or those with original video footage to send it directly to Swansea Council, South Wales Police and Maritime and Coastguard Agency via their social media pages. Please include time, date and location along with a description of the craft, occupants and events.
“The jet ski was known to have launched and been recovered from Knab Rock. The boat was towed by the Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI to Swansea after running out of fuel.”
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Swansea Council rules and byelaws say users of jet skis and other powered craft should stay at least 100 metres from shore at popular bathing beaches.
They also state: “No person, being the navigator of a pleasure boat, shall cause or suffer such vessel to be driven or sailed in a dangerous manner or without the due care and attention or without the consideration for other persons.”
Claire Hughes, director of HM Coastguard, said: We can’t emphasise this enough – the sea has no respect for whether you’re local or not and whether you’re experienced or not.
“Please always check weather conditions and tide times before going out. The Coastguard will always respond to 999 and do all we can to get people home and safe. But be careful. Think twice about what you’re doing at the coast that might put you, your family and friends and even those who come to rescue you in danger. Watch out for each other and those you love. Get home safe.
“We’ve seen too many tragedies already this summer and we’re sad for those whose families have been left heartbroken by the loss.”
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