Ferry wake hits girl
Monday 28th July 2008, 2:29PM BST.
Children play on rocks at La Vallette as a wave caused by a passing ferry hits the shore. (Picture by Tony Rive)
A FATHER has complained to the Culture and Leisure Department after his young daughter was swept from rocks at La Vallette by waves created by a passing ferry. And bathing pools kiosk manager Ad Locke said last week’s incident was not the first of its kind.
‘My daughter herself was swept off the rocks by a large wave and was battered and bruised, which made me get in touch with Deputy Mike O’Hara [Culture and Leisure minister],’ he said.
‘Anyone can come down here and watch the Condor ferries – they speed up to the harbour until they’re around 300 yards away from the harbour mouth and then decide to slow down,’ he said.
Mr Locke said it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously hurt by the four- to five-foot waves that swept the bay when large vessels passed.
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Why does everyone blame Condor? Don’t they remember about the other HD Ferries? Also a Waterjet ferry. They come just as close, if not closer, than Condor’s do.
I actually watched Condor come in at lunchtime on Friday. Both Condor Express and Condor 10 arrived approximately at the same time, meaning that they both would’ve had to have slowed up far out. Not only that, both ferries were no where near the bathing pools. So nobody could have been effected.
If the ferry slowed up by Fermain Bay, this would add another 15 mins of travel time to take into account the slower speed to the harbour. The people would moan about that! That would be the same as making the ferry’s slow down passing the Bridge. The boats have never EVER had to slow down by Fermain before, as overwise said by Mike O’Hara in today’s paper.
Some people have got nothing better to do.
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I have not been swimming at La Vallette recently but I have fequently experienced the ‘Condor wave’ in the past. When the tide is near the top of the wall or over the pools themselves can become a dangerous maelstrom for small children. There used to be a large notice at the entrance of the pools to warn non locals but it added to a notice inside the ladies instead where not it is not readily seen. Usually the ferries did slow down not always so we made a point of not being close to rocks or in the pool at high tide whenever we spotted one coming.
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The wave-piercing catermarans, such as condor, produce a large bow-wave that travels a considerable distance ahead of the vessel. This is why they appear to travel beyond the entrance to St.Peterport harbour, before turning – to push the surge ahead and out to sea/coast, rather than into the harbour where all those expensive boats are moored! Next time you are around the main harbour, watch the waterline rise well before the vessel even appears. They are a fast, efficient and eco form of transport – but the world over, have caused issues with washing out coast lines etc.
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For goodness sake – this is part and parcel of living on an island. When i frequented the bathing pools as a child we used to revel in the waves caused by passing ships. At high tide we could also (if we timed it right) jump off the wall of the Children’s pool and get swept into the Ladies’ pool (saving us the cost of entry). No doubt a dangerous stunt in the eyes of today’s health and safety guru’s but to my knowledge no one was every seriously hurt. What about all the water skiiers, sailing boats etc
People need to be taught about the dangers of the sea and I agree there should be warning signs around but nothing more. Next we will have people demanding lifeguards in all the pools and on the beaches……..
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Myself and my children have swam at La Vallette pools for years and for those who use them are quite aware of the “Condor wave”.I have to admit it can be very dangerous for young children,non-locals and inexperience swimmers The local kids love it as soon as condor is insight someone will yell out its way and many kids will jump in and await the swell, others will get out. Maybe a notice befor entering the pools to warn people might be some help.
Changin the subject on to litter thats left behind is unbelievable. A few years the owner of the kiosk use to have someone walk around a asking people for their rubbish and picking any left around up.
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This has probably always been the same. It certainly was in the 50′s when the British Rail ferries arrived from Jersey. You would consider yourself lucky if you happened to be swimming at the time.
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if you dont like the waves, go to beau sejour.
Simple.
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People in the Uk pay a lot of money to go to indoor leisure centres with ‘wave machines’ . We have natures own wave machine on our doorstep and should stop winging about the inconveniences and start to educate people about the dangers out there in the environment and then let everyone start enjoying what the sea has to offer.
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Pathetic.
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Surely this is just a case of irresponsible parenting. Fancy allowing your daughter to play in a so cold dangerous area. You would not let your children play on a motorway would you, so don’t let them play on rocks in areas that could be dangerous.
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The public should not clamber the rocks out side of the pools as waves can drag people out,If any one fell on these Rocks ? Years gone by a lady looked after the public Warning People when a large vessel was due to pass. A small entry charge was made, Wonder who that lady was?
I feel that for health and saftey reasons there should be signs warning the public of the dangers also the times when a large ship will pass by causing large waves.(Long live the bathing pools).
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Maybe it’ll all a conspiracy to have the pools closed for “Health and Safety” reasons so the upkeep costs can be shovelled into the black hole instead…
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Oh dear, Guernsey (well i say Guernsey) up in arms over a wave? Deal with it, it’s an island. or get your kids one of those safe blue pools from Aladdins Cave.
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OMG a wave,this is not on the sea should be punished for this, should we all start a petition to stop waves attacking….
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Oh deary deary me, I never knew the sea had waves. Try being out in a small boat well away from the shore when it comes towards you, thats scary! If you go somewhere like Saints Bay and see the Condor, HD1 or freight boats coming from Jersey to Guernsey, wait 20 mins or so and the wake arrives in the bay. Wake will travel a long way from any boat. I agree with Jackie if your that worried get her a paddling pool.
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