Weymouth, Dorset – 16 July 2025 — Weymouth Town Council has announced the immediate removal of the swim rafts from Greenhill Beach following safety concerns raised by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
According to a statement released today, the RNLI advised the Council that the rafts were positioned outside the primary lifeguard response zone and created a “blind spot” for on-duty beach lifeguards, posing a potential danger to swimmers.
Safety First
“The safety of residents and visitors must come first,” the Council stated, emphasising that they were left with “no option” but to take down the seasonal rafts, which had recently been reinstalled for the summer.
A Weymouth Town Council spokesperson added:
“We know that over the years it has become a popular activity for large groups to swim out to the rafts in the summer, so we understand this will be disappointing in the short term. But in order to avoid a potential tragedy from happening in this stretch of the sea at Greenhill, we have no choice but to act on the advice flagged to us by the RNLI.
Following discussions with relevant partners, the rafts have been removed.”
Public Reaction
The removal has drawn a mix of disappointment and understanding from local residents and frequent beachgoers. Many acknowledge the rafts as a beloved summer feature, especially for families and young swimmers. However, there is also widespread support for the Council’s decision prioritizing public safety.
What’s Next?
While there are currently no plans to reposition the rafts or replace them with alternative water features, the Council states that it will continue to work with safety partners to assess options for future summer activities that align with RNLI safety standards.
For ongoing updates on beach safety and summer amenities, residents are encouraged to follow announcements on the Weymouth Town Council website
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