51 lives lost in water accidents so far this year, Water Safety Ireland warns

Vivienne Clarke

Water Safety Ireland and the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) have appealed to the public, and teenagers in particular, to stay safe when swimming during the current warm weather.

Ivan Longmore of MRCC told RTÉ radio’s News at One that people should also exercise caution when using inflatable devices, and he would recommend that they do not use them in the sea because of offshore winds and tidal currents.

This follows the rescue of a 13-year-old off the Wicklow coast last Saturday, when his inflated lilo drifted out to sea.

Joanne Walsh of Water Safety Ireland told the same programme that 51 lives had been lost in water related incidents so far this year and during an eight week period seven children had died.

“They were from a period going from early in May right up until kind of towards the end of June, and there was a range of ages from younger ages right up until 17," she said.

"The majority of them were teenagers. So I'd like to speak to the teenagers today, to our teenage boys and girls out there.

"Look at this beautiful weather, it's summertime, you're looking at going back to school, but if you're thinking of going swimming and going to water areas this weekend and even today, please try and swim at a lifeguarded waterway.

“Look for the flags, yellow and red flags. That's the area known to be safe. That's where the lifeguard has risk assessed. That's a safety zone. Swim in between those.

"If you can't get to a life guarded water way, swim in an area that's known to be safe and look for visible ring buoys and heed signage.

"If it says don't swim, dangerous swimming, please heed it. And with yourselves, please be responsible. Please look out for each other. Your lives are precious and no horseplay and just be there for each other.”