News that Pembrokeshire County Council plan to go ahead on introducing a permanent gate on Tenby harbour pier to help combat safety concerns has split the views of the public with some calling the authorities a ‘joyless bunch of morons’ - whilst others have sympathised with boat operators that have expressed fear that a serious accident is just around the corner.

Local authorities took the decision over holiday periods last year to close off a section of the pier at high tides, after serious safety concerns resurfaced over ‘tombstoning’ and the volume of youngsters jumping in the water causing risk of injury from vessel movements within the harbour.

Anti-social behaviour concerns were also raised, with teenagers congregating down the pier and ‘boy racers’ parking up at the spot during evenings.

Tenby Harbour Users Association recently had it confirmed that a fixed sliding gate at the pier is in the pipeline.

Many have called it a ‘rite of passage’ - whilst others have sided with boat operators who have expressed fear that the actions are a serious accident waiting to happen.

Warning signs at Tenby Harbour
Warning signs at Tenby Harbour (Observer pic)

“Unfortunately sense has gone out the window with the kids,” posted one person on social media.

“No skipper wants to spoil the kids fun. But the reality is when you’re driving your boat and you have kids jumping in, either in front, or worse behind your boat as you are about to leave the pier, it is terrifying.

“If the unthinkable happens, which has come close to happening many times to me, a child will die.

“These sharp propellors don’t care if you’re just having fun, they will chop you to pieces. If only the kids would only jump when the pier is clear of boats. But they don’t wait, they jump right in with no regard for what might happen.

“If they are hit by the boat, if we miss one child jumping because we are looking in the other direction, then that is many lives ruined,” they added.

Tenby harbour no jumping
Local authorities took the decision last year to close off a section of the pier at high tides, after serious safety concerns resurfaced over the volume of youngsters jumping in the harbour water (Observer pic)

Others were a bit more flippant, disparaging of the Local Authority’s reasonings.

“What a joyless bunch of morons,” remarked one person on Facebook.

“I’m 60 and have been jumping off there all my life along with all my fellow locals - but suddenly, it’s dangerous and we need an ugly big sign restricting our fun!

“There is risk in everything that involves being adventurous, but statistically, this is not a dangerous pursuit.”