New signs which have appeared on Falmouth's Custom House Quay and ban swimming have been criticised, but are essential to ensure the safety of locals and visitors, claim the harbour commissioners.

Almost as soon as the new signs were put up by Falmouth Haven, which manages leisure boating facilities on behalf of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, people were taking to Facebook to express their dismay. The signs tell visitors to the quays that there is to be no swimming, no unauthorised use of ladders, no fuel transferring and no feeding of seagulls.

Among those who have responded online is Andrew Clayton who said: "Welcome to the modern world. The boatmen of a previous generation would shake their heads."

Adrian Christopher Norton added: "When I was a child we used to have the school water sports day in the basin."

Andy Brodie said: "Outrageous! Falmouth kids have always swum from custom house quay," and Eileen Rouen added: "Health and safety gone to the extreme, how many of us swam in the basin without coming to any harm for goodness sake?"

However, Falmouth Haven's general manager, Barry Buist, defended the signs saying: "We have recently installed new advisory and safety signs, many of which replace old signage, at the marina, boat park and Custom House and North Quays in Falmouth. The new signs offer improved appearance and provide more consistent safety messages for both our customers and the general public.

"We are pleased the signs are in place ahead of the busy holiday period, especially as many visitors may not be aware of the potential dangers that can exist in and around a working harbour.”