MUKILTEO, Wash. — The Mukilteo Fishing Pier offers gorgeous views – and a warning. No diving, jumping, or swimming.
Locals say they often see people launching themselves off the pier.
“I actually go for a walk around here every day and frequently we see kids jumping off the pier. It’s actually really crazy,” said Erin Birkenkopf, a Mukilteo resident.
What makes swimming and diving even more dangerous is that the pier is right next to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal.
“They’re probably having fun jumping off the pier, but it’s not the right place to do it,” said Dana Warr, a spokesperson for Washington State Ferries.
Warr explained just how dangerous it can get for someone in the water as a ferry comes in.
“These are massive vessels with massive propellers that push a lot of water and all those pilings – there are sharp objects, there’s rocks, all kinds of hazards – lines that could tangle you up. We really don’t want to see someone get hurt,” said Warr.
On top of the danger for swimmers, Warr says, if people are spotted in the water, a captain will stop a ferry at least a quarter mile away, until they get out – and that leads to delays for riders.
“And people don’t want to be delayed, they want us to stay on time and we can’t stay on time when people are in the water and causing a safety issue,” said Warr.
Warr adds it’s not just Mukilteo, but any area near ferry terminals where people in the water need to keep a safe distance.
At the pier in Mukilteo, police say they will cite anyone caught jumping or diving off.
The Port of Everett released a statement, saying, “Safety at the waterfront is always a top priority. We have been in close coordination with Washington State Ferries on this. We hope the additional signage on the pier and more awareness to the dangers of this will stop the reckless behavior.”
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