Beachgoers in Weymouth will not be able to make their annual swim pilgrimage to the Greenhill rafts this summer.

The decision to not put the two rafts out on the water this year has been made because RNLI lifeguards won’t be deployed at their base at Greenhill as usual.

While a lifeguard service is being provided on the main Weymouth Beach, provision can’t be extended to Greenhill due to a lack of protective equipment for patrols.

It is being stressed that the rafts, or diving pontoons, will return next year.

Resident Luke Morris said: “I totally understand about the shortage of lifeguards. But when you have thousands of people descending on Durdle Door and jumping off of it with no lifeguards patrolling there, it doesn’t make sense to me.

"Locals like ourselves enjoy a swim out to the rafts and have done so for generations, before lifeguards patrolled Greenhill.”

Resident Sebastian Blundell said the rafts were an ‘iconic’ part of the summer scene in Weymouth which bring ‘character and identity’ to the waterfront.

He said: “It is a shame that they won’t be put out this year. However I completely understand that if putting them out causes a strain on the local services and lifeguards at this time then they should stay off the water for this summer.”

Jason West said: “I think it is a bit of a shame as they provide a nice focal point for swimmers and a bit of a challenge for those trying to improve and test themselves.

"In that context the lack of any lifeguards opposite them could pose a safety issue as some people over estimate their ability or misjudge the conditions and then struggle. So on balance it is probably a sensible decision. No one wants another swimming related tragedy.”

Local councillor Tia Roos said: “The rafts are a great thing for people to use, however, I feel right now we are in unprecedented times. Covid-19 hasn’t gone and the impact of it will affect many services and amenities people have become used to. That’s not to say they won’t return, but for now it’s inevitable that some services need more time to prepare or may not be able to recover and provide as well this year.”

Weymouth Town Council said it had been working with the RNLI and was pleased that a full lifeguard service had been secured for Weymouth’s central beach.

A town council spokesman said: “Sadly, the RNLI has also confirmed that it will not be in a position to provide a full provision at Greenhill this year stating that it is operating in a pandemic and the risks have not gone away.

"There continues to be a high demand for PPE across the UK and they need to ensure that there is sufficient levels for the lifeboat crew and lifeguards to protect them from infection. There is also a limit to the level of recruitment and training that can be delivered. This had to be paused at the end of March and, while it has restarted, they are unable to reach normal levels to cover all beaches.

"Therefore, in line with risk assessments and insurance requirements, the swimming rafts which are usually deployed in July will not be deployed at all in 2020. This will only be the case for this year meaning that the rafts, and lifeguards, will be back at Greenhill in 2021.”

* The rafts were not a feature of Weymouth Bay in 2000 due to council fears that a swimmer could get into trouble trying to reach them.

But they were brought back in 2001 after a public outcry.

They were under threat again in 2009 as the then borough council considered the potential risks. But they were put out that summer following a risk assessment report.