A WARNING has been issued to children who amuse themselves in the Island’s harbours by “tombstoning” from sea walls into the sea.
The school summer holidays find lots of children - usually boys - playing in the Island’s harbours and the sport of “tombstoning” - jumping in feet first with hands to your side - has been a regular feature of their holiday highjinks, especially on warm days such as this week.
However, the Harbours Division of the Department of Infrastructure issued a statement this afternoon saying that “tombstoning” is illegal in harbours and can result in a fine of up to £2,500.
Today’s statement said, “The department is urging members of the public to be aware of the dangers of playing near harbours, particularly if this involves jumping into or swimming in a harbour.
“We are concerned that members of the public, particularly children and young people, are not aware of the dangers from boats manouvering, the shock that can occur from entering cold water suddenly and the hazard presented by not knowing the depth of water”
David Callister MLC, member with responsibility for Harbours Division, said that besides being a dangerous activity, swimming in a harbour without permission is an offence under the byelaws and may result, on conviction, in a heavy.
He added, “Harbours Division staff and Coastguard officers will issue a warning to anyone found swimming or jumping into a harbour and may call for police assistance if the person concerned does not stop their activity when requested to do so.”
Jumping from harbour breakwaters or piers is sometimes referred to as “tombstoning” because of the risky nature of this activity. Although we have been fortunate in the Isle of Man not to have had any serious accidents this is not the case in the UK where there have been several well publicized incidents of people suffering severe injury as a result.”
General water safety information can be obtained from the Isle of Man Harbours/Isle of Man Coastguard website. http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/transport/harbours//watersafetyadvice.pdf
