Bay speed limit 8 knots due to debris fear

Koombana Bay continues to be closed to all water skiing and an 8 knot speed limit imposed on the entire area due concern over the danger of floating debris from the Bunbury Timber Jetty.

Department of Transport regional manager Peter Kiely said the floating debris posed a serious threat to the safety of people on vessels travelling at speed.

"It’s understood the closure impacts on the local boating community," Mr Kiely said.

"However, a high speed collision between a vessel and floating debris of the size being found in the bay could have tragic consequences."

Debris from the jetty resulted in the closure of both ski areas in June last year.

The Bunbury City Council installed a containment boom in May 2010, however algae and weeds have weighed parts of the boom down to below sea level.

The department reopened the eastern ski area and removed the 8 knot speed restriction east of the shipping channel into the Inner Port last December after a monitoring program revealed there were no floating timbers located.

Mr Kiely said there had been a number of confirmed instances where timbers had been located and retrieved from the bay since December and the closure and speed limit were reintroduced in March this year.

"This has included the recovery of a seven metre long section from the jetty and the discovery of other timbers washed up on a beach close to the ski area in March last year," Mr Kiely said.

Once the department is satisfied the risk posed by timbers has abated, it will reopen the ski areas and remove the speed restrictions.