Fears over the safety of swimmers have sparked a warning to water bike users.

Coastguards at Walton said they were receiving numerous reports from beach users that people on water bikes and speedboats were coming too close to the shores of Tendring.

A spokesman for Thames Coastguard said the rising number is increasing their concerns about bathers' safety as by-laws are being broken.

The rules set by Tendring Council state that powered craft users must not come within 200 metres of the tide line.

When they are within this limit for launching or coming back to the beach they should not go over a speed of 8 knots, which is 8.8mph.

But the spokeswoman said: "They are coming in and picking people up in the sea and then hurtling off at full throttle."

Published Thursday, September 9, 2004

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