Bournemouth beach inquiry: The boat being held is ‘not licensed’ by the local council

[ad_1]

A council spokesman confirmed that the boat seized as part of investigations into the deaths of two young men was “not licensed” by the local authority.

It is not known if any other organization licensed the boat.

Dorset Police have impounded the Dorset Bell following Wednesday’s incident in which a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton were killed.

Eight other people were treated by paramedics.

A man in his 40s who was “on the water” at the time was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on remand on Thursday while the police investigation continues.

On Friday, the 49-year-old Dorset Belle passenger boat was still at anchor at Cobb’s Quay, Poole Harbour, guarded by a police van.

According to MarineTraffic, the ship visited Bournemouth Pier, the scene of the tragic accident, at 4pm, just minutes before making the first 999 call and then returned again.

Dorset Police said no physical contact was made between the swimmers and any vessel or jet ski and that those involved did not jump from the pier.

A spokesperson for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council told the PA news agency: “We do not license this boat”.

The authority’s website says: “Anyone wishing to be in charge of or move a leisure boat/vessel, including Pool Harbor and Christchurch Port, for the purpose of allowing them to be chartered to members of the public, or to be used as carry-on charter passengers must obtain a license from us.” .

A spokeswoman for the council added: “In relation to the Dorset Bell, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for issuing licenses to operate vessels of this size and capacity.

“The BCP does not issue licenses to vessels of this type to operate in open waters.

We apologize and acknowledge that the site does not make this clear.

Dorset Police refused to comment on any investigation into the Dorset Belle and refused to say whether any vessel was involved.

Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, told the PA news agency he believed Dorset Police should provide more information to avoid “wild speculation”.

He said: “There is a need for a review, the police are conducting their investigations, there is a need for a review of the circumstances to see if any measures and safety protocols need to be upgraded to ensure this does not happen in the future.

“I would encourage Dorset Police to clarify the general circumstances of this tragic incident to avoid further wild speculation and uncertainty to parents who may be wary about going to any part of the beach, unclear exactly as to what happened in this terrible accident.”

The ship’s website states that it was specifically built as a passenger boat to operate locally and could “handle the occasional tough swell conditions encountered on local docks”.

Eyewitnesses indicated that the swimmers fell at a dangerous height, which led to the fatal accident.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council leader Vicki Slade said she would discuss pavement safety with local MP Conor Burns on Friday.

The local authority website states that from April to October, yellow marker buoys are placed 200 meters from the low water mark to indicate that watercraft must not exceed six knots, disturb or endanger other beach users, run ashore or cruise from the beach . “

The artificial reef near Boscombe has a speed limit throughout the year.

Claire Slade said: “There is no evidence to suggest any of these rules have been breached.

“We are confident with our partners that any lessons that need to be learned in the future will be learned.”

The council issued a statement saying: “While the cause of the tragic accident last Wednesday continues to be investigated, safety is our priority and of course after any type of incident we work with our partners to review the provision of safety.

“We have increased visibility for council waterfront staff at Bournemouth Beach and RNLI lifeguards will continue to patrol around the area.

“All coastal waters have inherent risks that change with tides, weather conditions, changes in the sea floor, and so on.

“We are working with other agencies to assess risks and put safety measures in place, such as RNLI lifeguards, safety signs and restricting boat use near shore. Lifeguards assess local conditions throughout the day and respond accordingly.

“We want anyone who visits our beaches to enjoy them safely, so we ask people to follow the RNLI’s guidance on beach safety:

“Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, and check the weather and tide times before you go.

“If you get caught in a rip current, don’t swim against it — instead, relax and float until you’re free from the rip, then swim to safety.

“If you find yourself in danger in the water, relax and turn off.

“If you see anyone having trouble in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Dorset Police said they were working with the Maritime Accidents Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to investigate the incident.

[ad_2]