Safety fears could stop swim to Kent (From Echo)

Safety fears could stop swim to Kent

6:00pm Monday 9th January 2012 in Southend By Chloe Chapman

Making a splash – Redcaps during their recent Christmas Eve swim

AMBITIOUS plans for an open water swim from Southend to Kent may have to be scrapped over safety concerns.

The Chalkwell Redcaps are hoping to raise more than £5,000 to be split between the RNLI and Essex Search and Rescue, but the controversial challenge needs the go-ahead from the Port of London Authority.

Team member Lorraine Rate, 53, said: “There are safety concerns because cargo ships pass every 15 minutes, but it is not going to take the swimmers very long. Most of them can swim that space in about seven minutes.

“We are not a bunch of idiots. We are taking it really seriously and we want the Port of London Authority to be on our side and work together with us.”

With only one tide and a maximum of six hours to complete the return trip, this is going to be one of the experienced team’s toughest challenges.

However, it is the 500m wide shipping lane which is in their way.

Martin Garside, spokesman from the Port of London Authority, said: “Clearly, such an activity does raise potential issues, not least because it would involve the need to cross very busy shipping lanes.

“As with any such activity, our primary interest is the safety of anyone taking part in an event and the safety of the many other users of the Thames Estuary.”

“Given those safety issues, very careful and detailed discussion with the organisers would be needed to work out an appropriate way forward.”

Despite the doubts surrounding the challenge, 14 swimmers are already hard in training, with just six months until the proposed date of July 6.

Only a maximum six of these people will actually be able to go ahead with the swim because of the back-up support required.

For every two swimmers, one motorised boat will be needed to accompany them.

Mrs Rate added: “If we don’t think a swimmer is fit enough to get across, we won’t let them attempt it.

“We are a team and it’s not just one person who is a decision maker – we will all sit down together and decide who can do it.”