Companies warn of ferry danger

Central Coast Ferries and Palm Beach Ferries have called on Gosford Council to prevent children jumping off wharves at Ettalong and central wharf at Davistown.

Central Coast Ferries manager Mr Mark Conway said that he was alarmed at the "absolute stupidity" of the kids.

"When we sound our horns coming into these wharves, the kids just ignore us," Mr Conway said.

"And when we try to stop them, they give us cheek.

"Where is parental supervision here?

"We just want to coexist.

"Kids have been jumping off wharves since wharves were built, but they must be made aware of the dangers of the ferry propellers.

"The Codock II propellers are three feet in diameter.

"Council has promised rangers to patrol the wharves at peak times, but they can't be everywhere at once."

Mr Conway asked parents to supervise their children and warn them of the dangers that this practice carries: disfigurement, loss of limbs or loss of life," Mr Conway said.

Press release, 19 Feb 2007 Mark Conway, Central Coast Ferries