Dip of death

Too close for comfort: swimmers at Russell Wharf yesterday

Every summer when it heats up, kids are out of school and head for the water.
In the Bay Islands this is becoming a dice with death or serious injury.

1. Shark attack. Six years ago, a young woman was taken by Bull Sharks in the Rainbow Channel at Amity on North Stradbroke Island.  A public information campaign aimed at visitors was mounted by the Redland Council and permanent signs erected along the shoreline.
2. Getting infections. The latest Healthywaterways report gives the Southern Moreton Bay area a "D" rating drawing attention to the outsized sewerage plume originating from the Albert and Logan Rivers after the heavy rains early in the year.
3. Leaping from the roofs of structures.  Both the Council and ferry operators have looked at redesigning access to gantries and roofs to prevent access but the practice continues.



Leaping into the wake

4. Being run down by water traffic.  Fast ferries, big barges and private vessels are growing in number every year in the islands and converge on the few public pontoons used by the swimmers.  Fast ferries frequency is around one every half hour at most island pontoons. Fortunately most of the ferries are now waterjet driven so the danger of being hit by a propeller or rudder has been lessened. However, bobbing heads are difficult to see and not every swimmer can see or hear boats approaching. 

 Efforts have been made by locals and authorities to prevent the practice.  Island police have been called to the jetties when unsafe practices have been observed.  Locals have erected (and had torn down) signs warning of the shark danger. The ferry drivers are always alert for swimmers. One of the key reasons for the Council and State authorities and Education Department backing the building of the $1m Russell Island swimming pool was to give an alternative.
But the practice continues and is only a matter of time before a serious accident happens.
What is the answer?