Watercraft crashes onto rocks at West Bay in strong winds

Two people on the Sea-Doo craft made a frantic attempt to try and salvage it after it was thrown onto the rock armour at the end of West Pier.

The pair were forced to abandon it and get out of the water after coastguards and harbour workers intervened, and one of the crew ended up injured.

Coastguards said the craft was 'overwhelmed by the waves and strong easterly wind' which caused havoc on the coast on Saturday.

The craft shouldn't have even launched – local rules state personal watercraft (PWC) are not permitted to launch from West Bay, and even if they were the conditions at sea were deemed totally unsuitable.

It was also noted the pair were not wearing floatation devices and didn't have the ability to call for help.

Ahead of the weekend, rescuers had warned of 'dangerous conditions' on the coast due to strong easterly winds which were forecast to increase in strength on Friday through to Saturday.

An off-duty member of West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team raised the alarm at just after 1pm on Saturday after noticing the craft in difficulty.

A spokesman for the team said: "Two persons operating a personal watercraft near to the end of West Pier became overwhelmed by the waves and strong easterly wind and the craft was washed onto the rock armour.

"They initially tried to recover the craft, but due to the high wind and strong wave action, the craft became pinned to the rocks and the persons were placing themselves at increased risk trying to recover it.

"Solent Coastguard immediately paged the West Bay Rescue Team to attend along with the West Bay Harbour Master's team.

"The persons on the rock armour were advised to abandon their attempt to recover the PWC and get themselves to a place of safety which they did, although one of the persons had now suffered multiple cuts and abrasions to their arms and legs.

"Declining the attendance of an ambulance, the persons were met by the coastguard and harbour team.

"First aid was provided, details were taken and safety advice dispensed.

"Only one of the persons was wearing a wetsuit and neither were wearing floatation devices or had the ability to call for help.

"Recovery of the craft was left in the capable hands of the harbour team."

A statement from the West Bay Harbourmaster's team said: "It would also be worth noting that when arriving at any harbour for the first time that you contact the harbour office; these operators would have then found out that not only are PWC’s not permitted to launch at West Bay or Lyme Regis Harbours, they would have learned that the conditions on the day were not suitable for launching. This then would have been avoided and this expensive PWC would still be in good condition."

When operating personal watercraft the coastguard advises the following:

*If you’re going to take a jet-ski or personal watercraft onto the water then you should make sure you know how to operate these powerful machines by getting trained. You don’t want to find yourself in the water after being thrown off. This is also why we always recommend that you wear a buoyancy aid or impact vest and ensure you attach your kill cord to your personal buoyancy aid, so that if you end up in the water, the engine will stop.

*Take a hand held VHF radio with you and attach it to yourself, so you can contact the coastguard if you get into difficulty. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) may be useful for more remote locations, along with mini flares and a fully charged mobile phone in a plastic bag.

*Joining a professional and reputable personal watercraft club is also a great way to take to the water safely, and always respect any local rules or bylaws that are in place.

If you find yourself in difficulty or if you see something which gives you cause for concern, do not hesitate.

If you find yourself in difficulty or if you see something which gives you cause for concern, do not hesitate. DIAL 999 and ask for the COASTGUARD.