Life-jackets ‘would have increased rescue chances’

ATTEMPTS to rescue two men who drowned, in separate tragedies, were thwarted because neither had been wearing life-jackets at the time, according to inquiries conducted by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.

Kenneth Carney from Co Louth died when he fell overboard and had been unable to steady himself because he had wrapped himself in a blanket.

He had been travelling across Lough Sheelin, Co Cavan on August 1, 2004, with his friends when they started rolling the boat and he fell into the water.

Despite the efforts of his friends to rescue him they could not find a buoyancy aid on board and Mr Carney drowned.

In August 2005, Ronnie O’Connor from Co Wexford drowned after his boat was swept to sea by a severe ebb tide off Cullenstown Beach. An experienced boatman, he had spent the day fishing with his brother and was returning home late at night when the incident happened.

Separate reports on the two drownings have found that had the men been wearing life-jackets “it would have greatly increased (their) chances of being rescued from the water alive”.

In both reports the MCIB recommended the publication of a notice to advice the operators of pleasure craft of their obligation to provide suitable floatation devices under regulations adopted in 2005.

It said there needs to be greater awareness on the types of devices available taking into account the stretch of water and the prevailing weather conditions.

Irish Water Safety’s John Leech said that while the MCIB felt wearing a life-jacket greatly increased the chances of survival he would make a stronger case than that.

“We want people to wear life-jackets every time they are on or near the water, even within three metres of the water. Especially at this time of year when the water is 16 degrees, people can stay in there for a considerable length of time if they have a life-jacket.

“If the life jacket is operating correctly it gives people every chance of being rescued by what is a very quick and efficient coast-guard and community rescue service.”