Year-round swimmer Deputy Janine Le Sauvage took action after having caught in waves she says were created by a Condor fast ferry at the Bathing Pools, something the ferry operator denies. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0618761)
RESTRICTIONS have been imposed on Condor’s fast ferries after further complaints about wave problems at La Vallette Bathing Pools.
Year-round swimmer Deputy Janine Le Sauvage said she had been caught in ‘a raging inferno of waves’ on Tuesday.
The latest incident happened between 9 and 10am when a Condor ferry was leaving St Peter Port for Jersey.
‘When you are swimming in the middle of the pool, it is extremely frightening to have these huge waves coming towards you,’ said Deputy Le Sauvage.
‘If you panic and try to make your way towards the edge of the pool, the wave can throw you out and you’ll land on the hard, unforgiving concrete.’
The deputy, who has been using the pools since 1995 and is a strong swimmer, raised her concerns with Public Services minister Bernard Flouquet, who spoke to the harbour authorities.
Officials have spoken to Condor and are awaiting a preliminary report on the incident.
Deputy harbour master Tony Pattimore said: ‘It is hoped that a full assessment of the records will be available by the middle/end of next week.’
He added: ‘In the interim, the ship’s masters on all their high-speed vessels have been instructed to avoid using the route to the west of the Great Bank on all outward passages to Jersey/St Malo and to use that route on journeys into St Peter Port from the south only when the height of tide does not exceed four metres.’
Deputy Le Sauvage said the problem was not simply a one-off.
She witnessed one frightening case a year or two ago.
‘There was a small girl playing in what should have been the shallower pool when a wave came crashing through.
‘The child was upended and could have drowned had it not been for the fast actions of one swimmer who wasn’t struggling to escape the wave,’ she said.
Tuesday’s incident was the latest instance of islanders accusing Condor of causing freak waves.
‘One minute the pools look nice and calm, then you see Condor vessels speeding close by and the water turns into a raging inferno of waves with your only choice being to bob around until it subsides,’ said Deputy Le Sauvage.
Others, including Culture and Leisure minister Mike O’Hara, have expressed similar concerns and the allegations against Condor go back to at least 1999, although the problem apparently comes and goes.
Deputy Le Sauvage said that a couple on Soldiers’ Bay last summer were caught in ‘a small tsunami’ that drenched them and washed away their belongings.
‘The couple then made a complaint and the waves stopped for a couple of weeks, but then they came back,’ she said.
Condor said late yesterday that its interim assessment showed that for technical reasons it was not possible for Condor Express to have caused any adverse wave interference in the area of the pools.
Article posted on 9th August, 2008 - 2.30pm
7 Article Comments
I find this story quite amazing!.The dangerous waves caused by Condors wavepiercers were first drawn to the attention of the Harbour Authorities back in the mid nineties by the Marina Staff, over ten years ago. The question is why is it still a problem today?.
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People can’t keep blaming Condor for this. HD?? They’re worse at slowing down early. Just watch them come in the harbour.
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I find this story utterly mindboggling!! If Janine Le Sauvage has been a regular bathing pools swimmer for over 13 years then you would expect her to be able to cope with a few waves?? Condor isnt to blame for high waves – they provide a vital service to the island by bringing tourists over & have done for many years…
I would suggest that the sea was at a height that allowed waves to come over the wall so she should have been cautious in any case. I think you will find if the waves came over like she is suggesting then the pools would be packed with thrill seekers & Guernsey would have its own ‘Typhoon Lagoon’ – there is a money spinning idea for the states…
I fear its another case of someone with a bit of power waving a finger & getting in the media – Too many deputies do this & often abuse power… Can I hear the words ‘pembroke kiosk’?
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I agree: We should be highlighting the comings and goings of the ferries for those of us who love frolicking around in waves. Those who do not will know to stay out of the water for a few minutes!
No wonder we are running out of money – no doubt the harbour authorities have had to write a huge report in triplicate etc taking another civil servant away from their job. Total madness.
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I cannot believe this has been highlighted now, Condor has run since 1995, surely with the failing tourist trade they are one of the biggest lifelines for Guernsey, does Condor always have to be made the Scapegoat, has this Lady noticed all the other vessells which enter the Harbour or is she just against Condor. Very soon she will want a sign saying Guernsey Closed Due to Lack of Interest.
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Janine Le Sauvage is not taking a petty swipe at Condor. The dangerous waves are definitely caused by the hydrofoils and they are not the normal high waves you get with a bit of wind. I love swimming in rough water but when I spot a wavepiercer I get out of the pool or swim out to sea well away from the railings and rocks if I am outside the pool. The waves arrive about 5 minutes after Condor have passed and are not visible until they reach a barrier when all hell breaks loose. The amount of turbulence varies depending on the speed of the vessel and the height of the tide.
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i agree with W H Bonney,
the waves are great fun, you just relax and let them take you, as it has been pointed out you see the boat 5 mins before the waves. so if you see the boat get out the water if you dont like waves.
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