Call for stricter life jacket control

THE Irish Water Safety Council said not enough was being done to enforce the law which demanded people wore life jackets in small boats.

The council was echoing the sentiments of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board which has called for an advertising campaign to highlight people’s obligations in this regard.

The MCIB made its comments after its investigation found a young Limerick man drowned earlier this year partly because there was no life jacket on board his canoe.

IWSC chief executive John Leech said the Department of Transport had to take a proactive role in making sure people protected themselves in the water.

“There is little effort being made to raise awareness on the law about wearing life jackets.

“There was a set of guidelines published this year but it costs €10 to buy. This should be circulated freely. If you want to save people’s lives you should not be charging them to do it.”

In January, John Buckley, from Glin, Co Limerick, dipped under the water as he and his girlfriend tried to swim away from their capsized canoe.

The couple had borrowed the eskimo-type canoe from Mr Buckley’s brother, but it was only fitted with one life jacket.

In its report into the incident, the MCIB said the number of life jackets on board was inadequate.

“The requirement by law to wear a life jacket on any recreational craft of less than seven metres has been in place for some years.

“However, it is apparent that many people are unaware of its existence. The MCIB strongly recommends a public awareness campaign should be put in place.”