Plans to move speed marker buoys closer to the shore in Swanage and Studland Bays in Dorset, have been dropped following a consultation with the public, although minor adjustments will be made.
A proposed update by Dorset Council to a watercraft byelaw, included moving the 5 knot speed marker buoys so they were 200 metres from the beach, rather than the current 300 to 400 metres from the shoreline, but it proved controversial.
The buoys inform watercraft to slow down as they approach the shore
Difficult for lifeguards
In Swanage Bay, part of the reason behind the proposal was the buoy line could not be seen from the shore, which made it difficult for lifeguards to monitor the area, and even more difficult to reach someone in trouble.
Between the speed marker buoys and the shoreline, watercraft are not allowed to travel faster than 5 knots to help protect swimmers and other users from being hit.
It was explained that an unintended consequence of the speed marker buoys being further out in the bay, was many paddle boarders believed they were safe to go out as far as 400 metres from the beach, if they remained inside the buoy line.
But going out further into the bay means paddle boarders can more easily get swept out to sea by an offshore wind.
However other beach users protested saying that bringing the line in wasn’t safer, but just meant watercraft like jet skis could come closer to shore at higher speeds.
While the buoys will not be coming in as close as 200 metres, they will be moved from 400 metres to 300 metres in front of the lifeguard hut which should help them monitor the bay
Repositioning of speed marker buoys opposed by majority
A total of 437 responses were received during the eight week consultation, with more than three‑quarters coming from Swanage residents, as well as responses from local sailing, rowing and swimming groups.
Nearly 86 percent of respondents opposed repositioning the speed marker buoys in Swanage Bay.
The outcome is that the buoys will remain at 300 metres from mean high water in Swanage Bay. However an adjustment will be made to ensure the line consistently follows the 300 metre distance following the curve of the bay and will no longer extend closer to 400 metres in places.
In Studland Bay, the buoys will remain at 300 metres but will follow the line of the voluntary no‑anchor zone where the two meet, helping to protect seagrass areas while maintaining clear speed limits.
Every year from mid March, the buoys are deployed in Swanage and Studland Bays but from 2027 the period is expected to be extended by a month
Speed restriction period extended
The proposal to extend the period when the speed restrictions will apply, will be introduced after a clear majority – more than 60 percent – supported the move.
The amended byelaw will therefore apply from 15th March to 30th October inclusive, rather than ending on 30th September, recognising the continued regular use of the sea into the autumn.
Jetskis were one of the most frequently mentioned problems in the consultation survey
Rules only apply to motorised watercraft
There was strong opposition to including non-motorised watercraft in the new rules. As a result, the amended byelaw will continue to apply only to motorised watercraft.
Non-motorised users, such as sailing boats and rowers, will not be directly affected.
In Swanage Bay dingys will be exempt from the speed restriction rules
“Responding to strong views”
Councillor Nick Ireland, Dorset Council’s leader and cabinet member for climate, performance and safeguarding, said:
“We’d like to thank everyone who took part in this consultation. It shows just how much people value these bays and want them to be safe and well managed.
“We’ve listened carefully to what people told us. That means keeping the focus on motorised craft, extending the timing of speed restrictions, and responding to strong views about the buoy positions.
“Our aim is to make it safer and easier for everyone to enjoy the water, while protecting the natural environment that makes this part of Dorset so special.”
The consultation had to balance the needs of all the beach and water users
Come into force in 2027
Dorset Council will now update the byelaw in line with the consultation findings and submit it to the Department for Transport.
The proposals will also be considered by Dorset Council’s full council before being put forward for final approval by the Secretary of State.
Updating a byelaw typically takes around 18 months. If approved, the new rules are expected to come into force in 2027.
The Swanage sailing club substantially contributed to the consultation outcome
Excerpts of consultation responses
Swanage Sailing Club
“During poor weather, when it is not appropriate to run sailing activities in the main bay, our activity takes place in the safer sheltered 5 knot area, albeit some dinghies may exceed 5 knots in that area.
“Therefore, if sailing dinghies were excluded from using the 5 knot area it would limit the number of times they can sail in Swanage. It is noted that there have been no conflicts (in the past) with other water users.”
Swanage Sea Rowing Club
“We strongly recommend limiting the 5 knot speed restriction to powered vessels (engine/electric) and potentially high-speed foil-based craft, with explicit exclusion of non-powered craft, including rowing gigs, kayaks and canoes, paddleboards, and conventional sailing vessels
“We’d like the introduction of a clear enforcement framework, a formal reporting mechanism, and a revised 300 metre buoy layout aligned to bay geometry, plus consideration of an enhanced RNLI rescue capability via powered craft and suitable storage provision.”
Watersports enthusiast
“Moving the 5 knot buoys to 200 metres offshore. This makes a lot of sense. Their current location is so far out to sea in some locations they are not visible from the shore. Craft (jet skis) launching from Ocean Bay therefore sometimes blast off unaware there is a speed limit.
“Equally boats coming into the bay find the buoys so far out to sea they seem irrelevant to protecting swimmers and moored boats which are some 200 to 300 metres away.”
Swanage Swim
“At the meeting on 25th March, we noted a consensus building towards the following principles, which we would support:
- Buoys to be left out until the end of October, extending the current season by a month
- 5 knot speed limit to be operational all year round, even when the buoys are not present
- Buoys to be 300 metres from shore, based on four fixed points
- Buoys to be a maximum of 100 metres apart (we believe 27 buoys are available for Swanage Bay)
“We ask that two of these buoys are placed on the “return leg” at North Beach, to avoid accidental ‘side entry’ by craft.”
Sailor
“Motor vehicles travel on a road that is fixed and doesn’t move so the procedure is quite simple. But on the open sea, it is a totally different matter. The sea is always moving, unlike a road, ebbing and flooding 24 hours a day.
“So, for example, if a boat is travelling at 5 knots through the water, and the tidal flow is travelling at 3 knots in the same direction as the boat, the boat is therefore travelling at 8 knots over the seabed.
“So, the monitoring equipment would show the boat travelling at 8 knots and therefore breaking the 5-knot rule, when it is only travelling through the water at 5 knots.
“Would be most interested to know how you will deal with this conundrum and what the policy will be.”
Boat operator
“I run the boat trips from the stone quay Swanage. Since the 5 knot buoys have been moved out further, I have noticed the jet skis stay outside when at full speed, giving us boat operators plenty of breathing space and not buzzing us when going across the bay (We can stay just inside the 5 knot limit).
“Whereas before we often got targeted and my passengers were soaked with spray from the odd few jet skies. So I strongly recommend leave be.”
Further information
- The full consultation update and detailed report are on the Dorset Council website
