CALLS have been made for jetskis to be banned from swimming areas after a snorkeler was almost killed.

Coastguards said the ‘near fatality’ reported in Newton’s Cove was one of a number of calls they received around Weymouth in the same day and witnesses to the ‘terrifying’ incident now want areas for bathers protected.

Rodney Best, 69, who visits the cove regularly, said he wanted jetskis banned from swimming areas after seeing the snorkeler escape injury.

“Jetskis and swimmers don’t mix,” he said.

Mr Best said the jetski riders at Newton’s Cove looked ‘totally unaware’ they were putting people in danger.

He said: “A young man snorkelling in a wetsuit came within half a metre of being seriously injured or killed when a jetskier came within 50 metres of the shore.”

Mr Best, of Doncaster Road, Weymouth, said the six-knot marker buoys in the water and warning signs where jetskis were launched were too small and he wants the cove patrolled more often.

Dave Morcom, 40, from Lodge Way, Weymouth, was walking past the cove when he spotted what he said were the sit-down ‘jetbike’ versions of jetskis inside the six-knot speed limit area.

He said: “I would absolutely agree with banning jet bikes and jetskis from swimming areas.

Mr Morcom, a member of Weymouth Rowing Club who operates their safety boat, dialled 999 for the Coastguard and was shouting at the riders.

He added: “We are a boating community who have always felt there has been a risk.

“They accelerate so quickly that it makes assessing the risk so difficult.”

Mr Morcom said he was ‘terrified’ for the safety of the snorkeler at Newton’s Cove.

He said: “It was only by luck and not judgement that nobody was killed.

“If they carry on like that someone will get killed.”

Newton’s Cove is under the control of Portland Port and a spokesman said the six-knot markers – which have now been removed for the winter – should be adhered to.

He said: “Our buoys are there to reinforce the speed restriction but the boats should know it’s a six-knot area and it is patrolled regularly.”

The spokesman said the restrictions within the port are constantly under review. He added: “There are some people who don’t adhere to the regulations.”

A Portland Coastguard spokesman described the call on Sunday to Newton’s Cove as a ‘near fatality’.

He said: “Much of the problem was being caused by the fact that all the speed zone buoys have been taken in for the winter, although they were still in place at Newton’s Cove and the jet skiers ignored them.”

Wyke Regis rescue officers issued safety advice to skiers at Bowleaze Cove.