POLICE have responded to complaints about jet skiers causing a disturbance and upsetting swans around Irvine Harbour.

Sergeant Will Thomson said he would investigate after the concerns were raised at last Wednesday’s meeting of Irvine Community Council.

He said: “There is legislation around this but it is quite woolly. We had a major issue a few weeks ago. Guys were going off from the slip and there was dubiety about who had access to it.

“The slip must be accessible 24 hours a day due to health and safety because lifeboats must be launched. The legislation is not the easiest to understand.

“The sun was out, kids were there and people had jet skis. We were going round in circles to see who gave them access to the gate (at the slip) and who kept it open.”

Community Councillor Bill Anderson said: “Irvine Water Sports club are the key holders for that gate. Owners of jet skis were asking for a key but they said they could not give them it as there was a sign up saying no jet skis were allowed.

“Another sign said the speed limit once they get into the water applies to every vehicle, whether it is a rowing boat or speedboat. Once they get past Irvine harbour they can go at any speed they like.”

He claimed that during the summer, jet skiers were going past the wharf and there were also kids jumping off the bridge. 

Sgt Thomson said the problem was how to prove what speed they were going at.

He added:  “Hopefully next year we will have a proper plan in place in terms of how to properly deal with it."

Some people, he said, loved watching jet skiers but others hated the constant noise.

Mr Anderson added: “If the tide is in, they can get as far as the weir. They are hammering around the flats and we have lots of wildlife – loads of birds –  they will all get scared off.”

Sgt Thomson said he felt something could still be done in tackling the problem, bearing in mind that swans were being affected.

He added: “It’s possible we could maybe go down the wildlife angle as people are more sympathetic to that.”