Port of Cork and RNLI team up to teach hundreds of students about water safety

One student at the event said two drowning tragedies in Cork Harbour last year affected her group of friends

(Front row, left to right) Pupils from Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour NS, Daniel O'Rahilly, Matthew O'Neill and Ruby Mai Pierce and (back row, left to right) Stephen O'Flaherty, National Ambulance Service, Peter FitzGerald, Irish Coast Guard, Paul Harrington, Carrigaline Community First Responders, and Linda-Jean Byrne, RNLI, at the Cork Container Terminal (CCT), Ringaskiddy, for a “Student Safe” water safety event on Wednesday. Picture: Diane Cusack

Hundreds of young people were taught CPR and how to float to survive at a major water safety event in Cork Harbour on Wednesday as part of a multi-agency, pre-summer holidays drive to prevent drowning tragedies.

The Port of Cork Company teamed up with the RNLI to host over 300 secondary and primary school students at its port terminal buildings in Ringaskiddy at the ‘Student Safe’ water safety event.

At the “Student Safe” water safety event at the Cork Container Terminal (CCT), Ringaskiddy are Colaiste Mhuire Realt na Mara Crosshaven students, Luca Berkery Kelly, Ornait O'Donoghue and Fiadh O'Donovan along with Stephen O'Flaherty, National Ambulance Service, Peter FitzGerald, Irish Coast Guard, Linda-Jean Byrne, RNLI, Paul Harrington, Carrigaline Community First Responders, and Conor Mowles, Port of Cork. Picture: Diane Cusack

They met emergency first responders from the RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard, gardaí and the National Ambulance Service who often respond to drowning tragedies.

Sadly, two children drowned in separate incidents in the lower harbour last year. Jack O’Sullivan, 14, drowned last August after getting into difficulty while swimming with friends off a pontoon at Passage West. Just weeks later, Emili Roman, who was almost eight, drowned after she was swept out to see at Fountainstown beach.

Ornait O’Donoghue, 17, a transition year student at Colaiste Mhuire in Crosshaven, was among those who attended the water safety event on Wednesday. She said last year's drowning tragedies affected her group of friends who spend most sunny days during their summer holidays at beaches in her area.

“It was very sad, and very worrying to hear about those tragedies,” she said. “They all just went out for a summer swim, and all of a sudden, things can change in a second.

She said the children learned not to panic if they get into difficulty in the water, how to float to survive, and how to do CPR.

“We got to meet RNLI volunteers, they showed us a video of a rescue, and we got to see inside the back of an ambulance." 

(Front row, left to right) Pupils from Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour NS, Matthew O'Neill, Daniel O'Rahilly and Ruby Mai Pierce and (back row, left to right) Stephen O'Flaherty, National Ambulance Service, Peter FitzGerald, Irish Coast Guard, Paul Harrington, Carrigaline Community First Responders, and Linda-Jean Byrne, RNLI., at the Cork Container Terminal (CCT), Ringaskiddy, for a “Student Safe” water safety event on Wednesday. Picture: Diane Cusack

The event formed part of a larger water safety collaboration between the Port of Cork and the RNLI which saw promotional materials containing water safety tips installed inside the port’s main ferry terminal building earlier this year. The port’s chief commercial officer, Conor Mowlds, said they were delighted to host the event.

“It is incredibly important that young people are equipped with the correct knowledge and skills should they encounter difficulties on the water. Events such as this help to broaden water safety awareness to help mitigate emergency and life-threatening incidents,” he said.

The RNLI’s regional water safety lead, Linda-Gene Byrne, said: “If any other schools would like to receive water safety talks that teach the young people in your classroom or group how to stay safe in, on and around the water we’re here to help.”