There’s a plan to update a byelaw which governs the use of watercraft in Swanage and Studland Bays in Dorset, including new locations for speed marker buoys.
Dorset Council is consulting on the changes to the byelaw which was last revised in 2013 and now needs updating, not least to cover all types of watercraft including kite surfs and wing boards.
The 5 knot marker buoys are put out in the sea during the warmer months of the year
Controversy
The change which has proved most controversial is moving the 5 knot speed marker buoys, so they are 200 metres from the beach, rather than the current 300 to 400 metres from the shoreline.
Before 2013, the speed marker buoys were around 200 metres from shore, so this would be returning them to their original position. In Bournemouth and Weymouth the buoy line is 200 metres from the beach.
In theory, keeping the speed marker buoys further from shore should keep watercraft including Jet Skis further away from swimmers near the shoreline but in practice it doesn’t always work according to many beach users and those patrolling the water including the RNLI lifeguards.
An unintended consequence of having the speed marker buoys further out in the bay, is that many visitors using paddle boards believe they are safe to go out as far as 400 metres from the beach, if they remain inside the buoy line.
The buoy line doesn’t stop Jet Skis coming close to shore, they just have to drop their speed to 5 knots
False sense of security
It is argued by some that the buoy line can act as a magnet and give a false sense of security of being within a ‘safe zone’.
There have been many instances, when paddle board users get out so far, although within the buoy line, but then unexpectedly get caught in an offshore wind and get blown way out into the bay. This includes children.
The proposal to bring the buoy line closer is intended to encourage users to stay closer to shore where the RNLI lifeguards can more easily see if anyone gets into a dangerous situation.
If a paddle boarder or swimmer does get into difficulty, it is much quicker for a lifeguard to paddle out to them if they are 200 metres from shore, rather than 300 to 400 metres out to sea.
In Swanage, the RNLI lifeguards don’t have rescue Jet Skis or motorboats. The provision of a Jet Ski or motorboat would be very expensive and there is no building on the beach to house a vessel.
The intention of bringing the buoy line closer to shore should also allow the lifeguards to better monitor the speed of any motorised watercraft crossing over the buoys.
It is hoped there will be better compliance with the 5 knots speed limit if the line is closer to shore, in much the same way drivers tend not to slow to 20 mph on wide open roads but are more likely to adhere to a low speed through a village.
Dorset Council says that a closer, clearer boundary will make it easier for watercraft to stay at slow speed where swimmers, paddle boarders and families are present, reducing the risk of near misses and keeping the whole inshore area people use within the protected slow speed zone.
Some swimmers in Swanage aren’t convinced by the arguments and want to keep the buoys further out to sea.
RNLI lifeguards in Swanage find it more difficult to monitor those in the water who are 300 to 400 metres out to sea by the buoy line
Key proposals
Updated title
- The byelaw has been renamed from Seaside Pleasure Boats Byelaws 2013 to Dorset Council Purbeck Watercraft Byelaw 2027 to better reflect the full range of vessels and activities it now covers
Clearer, modernised wording
- The updated byelaw includes improved explanations so all users understand key terms such as:
- ‘moorings’, ‘defined watercraft activity areas’, and ‘voluntary no anchor zones’
- Language has been simplified and clarified to ensure the byelaw is easier for everyone to follow
Expanded definition of watercraft
- The 2013 byelaw focused mainly on personal watercraft and motorboats
- The 2027 update uses the term watercraft to include kayaks, kite surfs, windsurfs, wing boards, sail boats, motorboats and personal watercraft
- All of these must comply with the 5 knot speed limit within the speed marker buoy zone
Timing changes for speed marker buoys
- Deployment period extended from 15th March to 30th September to 15th March to 30th October (inclusive) to cover a longer season of water-based activity
Changes to speed marker buoy positions
- Buoys moved closer to the beach to better reflect how the coastline is used and to improve safety
- Swanage – Buoys moved from 300 metres to 200 metres from the shore, following the curve of the bay
- Studland – Same reduction from 300 metres to 200 metres, following the curve of the bay. Where this meets the Voluntary No Anchor Zone, the buoy line follows the boundary of that zone
Swimmers are safer to stay within 50 metres of the shore rather than swim out to the 5 knot buoys
All year round speed limit possible
It has been suggested that the speed limit of 5 knots closer to shore could be extended all year round, as in Weymouth and Poole Harbour.
While the buoy line would have to be brought in during the winter due to stormy weather, if there is dangerous and anti-social activity in the bay by motorised watercraft, it would allow a perpetrator to be prosecuted at any time of the year.
One of the main concerns of swimmers is the anti-social use of jet skis. This is mainly an issue of enforcement.
Dorset Council pays for vessels in Swanage Bay to be monitored during the summer and for anyone going too fast to be spoken to. This can lead to prosecution if reported to the marine police.
Separately from the bylaw changes, Dorset Council in conjunction with Dorset Police marine division has clamped down on the use of jet skis which are used irresponsibly by limiting and monitoring where they are launched from. The majority of Jet Skis in Swanage Bay travel from Poole Harbour.
All Jet Skis by law have to have an identification number like a vehicle registration number and in Poole Harbour there is a network of cameras and radar which record the position and speeds of all sizes of vessels 24 hours per day. Activity in Swanage Bay is also recorded by cameras.
Even in areas where there is no maximum speed limit, water users can be prosecuted for involvement in incidents while travelling at a speed which is established by formal investigation to be unsafe.
Jet Skis coming in and out of Poole Harbour are closely monitored
“Three to four prosecutions per season”
In November 2025, a Jet Ski user pleaded guilty to recklessly exceeding the speed limit in Poole Harbour and was instructed to pay a total of £1,932 including a fine of £666, legal costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £266.
Speaking at the time, harbour master Harry Gregory said:
“Poole Harbour Commissioners will continue to educate users of their duty of care and raise awareness of the byelaws put in place to protect harbour users, wildlife and property. We hope this latest prosecution will serve as a further warning to others.
“The rules are in place to protect lives and ensure everyone can enjoy their time on the water safely and responsibly. If you break the rules, we will act and undertake an average of three to four prosecutions per season”.
In Swanage Bay, an incident in the sea can be reported to Dorset Police marine division via the Dorset Police website or by ringing 999 in an emergency.
Swanage Bay has to juggle the needs of motorised watercraft and beach users
No changes until at least 2027
Updating a byelaw takes around 18 months and must be approved by the Department for Transport and Dorset Council’s Cabinet before it comes into force.
Dorset Council says feedback from the consultation, which closes on Wednesday 15th April 2026, will help shape the final version of the byelaw before it is presented to the Cabinet later in 2026.
If approved, the new Dorset Council Purbeck Watercraft byelaw is expected to come into force in 2027.
Further information
- Take part in the consultation online or by requesting the survey in a different format by contacting Dorset Council on 01305 224760
- Report an incident in Swanage Bay online
- More about water safety
