LEGISLATION UPDATE
MAY/00
Fahey Launches Safety on the Water Blitz Safety Organisations Join Forces
In Largest Ever Campaign To Reduce Accidents and Tragedies Tuesday 4 April
2000 The largest ever public campaign, involving every water safety and
emergency organisation in Ireland, was launched today by Minister for the
Marine and Natural Resources, Frank Fahey TD. Minister Fahey said, "in 1998
almost 200 people were tragically drowned on our seas and inland waterways.
Our seas, beaches rivers and lakes are wonderful amenities but too often
they are the backdrop to terrible tragedy which shatters families and numbs
whole communities. I want people to realise that they are responsible for
their own safety in the first instance and that they must take precautions
when engaging in water based activity" Critically, the campaign will feature
hard hitting advertisements in the broadcast media to bring home the publics
responsibility for their own safety and to illustrate the consequences of
carelessness and not taking precautions such as wearing lifejackets. "Safety
on the water is not about being rescued it is about taking steps to avoid
having to be rescued. Road safety, for instance, does not depend on how
quickly an ambulance can get to the scene of an accident but involves safe
practice to avoid accidents", said the Minister. "Taking precautions does
not spoil people’s enjoyment but it can save their life. Wearing a
lifejacket or taking other precautions should be second nature. Afterall, we
do not let our children ride a bicycle without a helmet and water based
activity should be no different" The campaign will be co-ordinated by the
Irish Coast Guard and involves Coast Guard Units and Rescue Bases around the
Country, the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, the Royal
National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Water Safety Ireland, Irish Sailing
Association, Harbour Authorities, Local Authority Lifeguards, BIM, the
Health & Safety Authority, Inspector for Inland Waterways, Community
Inshore Rescue Service, Irish Canoe Union, Irish Windsurfing Association,
Irish Surf Association, Irish Underwater Council, Naval Service, Civil
Defence, Gardai, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Outdoor Activity
Centres. Safety on the water advice leaflets are now being distributed to
Coast Guard Units, RNLI Lifeboat Stations, Harbours, Lifeguard Stations,
Boat Hire Companies, Rescue helicopter bases, Community Inshore Rescue Boat
Stations, Outdoor Activity Centres and to all the organisations involved.
This information will be available on a more widespread basis than ever
before. In addition, local men and women of the 500 strong volunteer Coast
Guard Units will distribute these leaflets regularly to Caravan Parks,
Chandlers, Fishing Tackle Shops and local boat users and Harbour Masters in
their areas. For inland waterways, local groups, Boat Hire Companies and
Angling Clubs will be involved. New Publications New safety leaflets "Stay
Safe in the Surf" and "A Sad Day", (warning parents of the dangers of water)
were also launched today by Minister Fahey. These and a whole range of
safety information leaflets are published by the Marine Safety Working
Group. A new publication "Sport Divers Safety Guide", compiled in
consultation with the Irish Underwater Council, will be published shortly.
All the publications are available from the Department’s help line 1850
392392. Schools Schoolchildren throughout the country will be invited to
participate in a safety on the water art competition organised by the
Ministers Department with the help of Parent and Teacher Magazine. This will
also involve parents, teachers and others in charge of children in the
safety campaign and Minister Fahey will officiate at the prizegiving. The
RNLI’s "Get Splashed" book, specially designed to make safety on the water
fun for children, will go to all schools. The RNLI will also run a "Get
Splashed" competition to bring home the safety message to children and
people who are responsible for them. Primary School Principals will also be
reminded that the "Safety on the Water School’s Pack" is available from
Water Safety Ireland. Schools will also be the primary focus of a newly
devised safety on the water talk and demonstration which will also encompass
community groups. Sailing and Boating Minister Fahey emphasised that
incidents involving pleasure craft have almost doubled since 1994 and that
while organised sailing clubs have admirable safety records there has been a
large growth in the numbers of people, not affiliated to clubs buying boats
and taking to the water. A proactive "at sea" campaign, co-ordinated by the
Coast Guard will also be carried by Coast Guard boats, RNLI Lifeboats,
Community Inshore Rescue Boats and Civil Defence Boats. This includes
patrols at busy water activity locations and distributing safety on the
water information. A "Sea Check" blitz on slip ways will be undertaken by
the RNLI as the leisure boating season gets underway. The RNLI’s Sea Check
provides free, friendly advice to boat users about safety equipment
appropriate to the type and size of boat and the intended area of use.
Advice will be given about education or training for those who want to
improve their knowledge or competence. The Irish Sailing Association (ISA)
will co-ordinate a campaign for affiliated boat clubs. ISA is holding Yacht
Safety Courses on the 15th and 16th April, 2000 at Howth YC, Royal Irish YC,
Wicklow YC, Waterford Harbour SC, Royal Cork YC, Kinsale YC, Tralee SC and
Galway Bay SC. Search and Rescue Demonstrations Search and Rescue
demonstrations involving the Coast Guard and the RNLI along with other
emergency services will be used as a backdrop to promote the safety message.
Coast Guard Units and RNLI volunteers will be on hand to distribute advice
and information at demonstrations. The Minister said that over 6,500 people
were saved or assisted though the Coast Guard last year and Search and
rescue demonstrations illustrate to the public the vitally important work
carried out by all those in the marine emergency network. "All the agencies
in the marine search and rescue network work tirelessly to protect the lives
of those who go to sea and or use our coastal and shoreline amenities. The
service they provide is second to none but too many lives are lost because
people are not taking adequate safety precautions. I want people to attend
the demonstrations in their local areas to see what is involved and to take
the safety message on board", he said. ends...
