Survivor fronts lifejacket initiative

A man who credited his survival to wearing a lifejacket is to front an RNLI campaign in Ireland and Britain, aimed at shore anglers.

Colm Plunkett was tossed into the sea while fishing from rocks at Dursey Sound on the Beara Peninsula, in West Cork last August.

“For the first 15 to 20 minutes I was swept by the currents out to sea. I spent 30 minutes or so fighting to get air into my lungs while spitting sea water out of my mouth as the waves broke over my head and the water ran down my face,” said Colm.

“I was fishing when a wave washed me into the sea. I spent the next 55 minutes fighting for my life.

“Fortunately I was with my 16-year-old daughter who immediately called the Coast Guard.

“Upon entering the water my lifejacket automatically inflated and kept me on the surface of the sea. I am here solely because I always wear a lifejacket. If you are not wearing a lifejacket you are as good as dead.”

Colm and the RNLI are urging all shore anglers to use a lifejacket which could buy them vital time should they end up in the water unexpectedly.

Between 2010 and 2014, there were 29 anglers rescued while fishing from rocks or the shoreline and the charity’s lifeboats were launched 43 times to shore angling call-outs.

According to research by the RNLI, only 10% of shore anglers wear lifejackets. An expert casualty review panel believes 81% of the fatalities reviewed between 2007 and 2013 could have been prevented had the casualties been wearing lifejackets.

The RNLI is advising some simple steps anglers can follow to keep themselves safe: Wear a lifejacket; tell someone where you are going and the time you plan to be back; and carry a means of calling for help.