Ahern urges safety in water over weekend

KEEP water fun. That’s the direct message to bathers and aquatic enthusiasts over the August bank holiday weekend — a period in which on average three people drown every year.

Each person in small, open marine craft must wear life jackets under new regulations to be drawn up by Marine Minister Dermot Ahern. He also proposes that life jackets be carried for everyone aboard the country’s estimated 7,000 marine leisure craft.

In its safety message, the Irish Water Safety Association advises people taking part in water pursuits that they should not mix them with alcohol, but wait until afterwards to have their drink. Last year 37% of drownings involved the consumption of alcohol.