Warning issued over dangers of swimming in Floating Harbour

A warning over the dangers of swimming in Bristol’s docks has been issued following the death of Joseph Omar on Sunday.

Authorities have urged people to keep out of the water, saying the Floating Harbour poses a serious risk to anyone entering and is a very different experience to swimming in a lake or river.

The appeal follows the death of 23-year-old business analyst Joseph, whose body was found by police divers on Monday.

It also comes in the wake of a series of “dangerous incidents” over the weekend.

Fire chiefs say they have responded to more than 70 water-related incidents in Bristol in the past two years, 25 of which have resulted in serious injury or death.

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Harry Awramenko, Avon Fire & Rescue Service group manager, said: “Swimming in Bristol’s harbour, and surrounding waterways, is incredibly dangerous.

“While it may seem tempting to cool off in the water, even in the height of summer the waters in England remain cold enough to induce involuntary cold water shock which causes even the strongest swimmers to gasp for breath, inhale water, cause panic and too often leads to drowning.

“We urge you to avoid swimming in the water to keep yourself safe from drowning and other water-related injuries.

“If you get into trouble near the water, or notice someone needs help, please call 999 and ask for the fire & rescue service.”

Members of Bristol’s Water Safety Partnership warn the dangers to anyone entering the water exist both on the surface and beneath. Even in the height of summer, harbour waters remain cold enough to induce cold water shock – the body’s involuntary response to being suddenly immersed into cold water.

Authorities say other factors, such as variable water quality, spring tides and hidden dangers beneath the water can also be “incredibly dangerous”, with rocks and rubbish and other hazardous materials potentially posing a risk to swimmers’ safety.

Local by-laws prohibit swimming in the harbour except where consent is given by the Harbour Master. A campaign has been mounted in recent weeks to call for swimming to be permitted.

Jon James, the head of service for the natural & marine environment at Bristol City Council, said the potential to introduce “safe, managed and segregated swimming” in the harbour is being explored, but stressed this is not in place right now.

“Whilst we welcome people down on the harbourside to shop, eat, drink and relax, we are appealing for people to stay out of the water and refrain from swimming at all times,” said James.

James said that the city council is “exploring the potential of introducing safe, managed and segregated swimming” as part of the Western Harbour development, but until such facilities are in place, “swimming in the harbour without the prior consent of the Harbour Master remains a dangerous activity that carries a significant risk of harm”.

Swiming could be permitted as part of the Western Harbour plans – photo by Martin Booth

Police inspector Rob Cheeseman added: “Tragically, we saw another life lost at the weekend and our thoughts are very much with the family of this young man.

“As part of the Water Safety Partnership, we must do all we can to highlight the dangers and risks posed by swimming in the harbour. These risks are often far from people’s minds on a hot summer’s day, but they are real and ever-present, nonetheless.

“It’s always vital you call 999 immediately if you see someone in trouble in the water, and not put yourself at risk by trying to save them, no matter how courageous it may seem.”

Further information on the harbourside and how it is managed can be found on the Bristol City Council website.

Information on water safety can be found on the Avon Fire & Rescue website.

Main photo by Paul Box©

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