Press Releases

PREPARING FOR ACTION – ON THE WATER TEAM MEETS AS PART OF CLAMP DOWN ON IRRESPONSIBLE BOAT USE IN FAL ESTAURY

Deputy Harbour Master Mark Killingback explained: “there are more and more boats navigating in this area and while we want everyone to enjoy themselves, the increased congestion on the river means that the risk of serious accidents is increasing”.

Three issues are highlighted as carrying the greatest risk: speeding motor boats which create a dangerous wash; drinking while in charge of a boat and navigating with insufficient lights at night.

A strong multi agency approach demonstrates the commitment to both monitoring for irresponsible behaviour on the water and investigating reports of dangerous incidents. Agencies involved include the Police, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, the harbour authorities from Truro, Penryn and St Mawes, the Marine and Coastguard Agency and the RNLI.

A special meeting of patrol staff took place at St Mawes, arranged by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, to make sure that everyone involved in managing incidents on the water works together effectively.

Mark Killingback commented: “We need to meet up to plan co-ordination of our monitoring activities and how we will respond in the event of a major incident. There are a lot of us working together to improve safety on the water and to ensure that commercial shipping and leisure craft can operate safely and harmoniously in the area.

“In many instances the issue is people not understanding that the way they behave is potentially dangerous. We have a job of educating the public as well as policing to do. We do hope that effective patrols, efficient management of incidents combined with thorough investigation of reported incidents of dangerous behaviour will encourage and enforce safer behaviour afloat.”

He stressed that the public have a part to play in assisting with monitoring and regulating the harbour areas, saying: “With such a large area to patrol, we cannot be everywhere and are heavily reliant on incidents being reported to us.”

To report an incident in the Fal Estuary call the harbour authority concerned using the numbers below:

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners 01326 312285

Truro Harbour Office 01872 272130

St Mawes Harbour Office 01326 270553

Answerphones are available when the offices are unmanned.

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