A new film which targets 18 to 29 year old men with a message about the dangers of cold water shock is being launched by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) today (Monday 25 July). The new 40-second film aims to highlight the dangers of jumping or falling into water, especially after drinking, and reveals…
At 11.30 am today, Clyde Coastguard observed a small dinghy, from their operations room, that had been launched from Cardwell Bay slipway, with two men aboard. Whilst the dinghy was being watched by the Coastguard, one of the men stood up and fell into the water, capsizing the dinghy, and throwing the other man into the water. Clyde Coastguard called out the Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team and requested the launch of the Helensburgh RNLI inshore lifeboat.
The Clyde Harbour Pilot Boat, which was already on the water, responded to the Coastguards request for help, and recovered the two men (only one of whom was wearing a lifejacket) from the water. The men were brought to shore to be met by waiting coastguards and an ambulance. They were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of the cold water.
Calum Murray, Watch Manager, Clyde Coastguard said: “Small boats are unstable platforms so be careful when moving around and try to distribute your weight as evenly as possible. We recommend that recreational sailors and motorboaters wear lifejackets at all times whilst on deck. These should be well maintained and have a sprayhood, light and whistle if possible. A crotch strap is an important part of the lifejacket as it stops it from riding up whilst in the water, so make sure that you wear it. Check your lifejacket over regularly, paying particular attention to the gas canister – make sure that it is properly connected and is not rusty. Make sure that you have a suitable method of communication with you. A VHF DSC radio is ideal with a charged mobile phone in a plastic bag and marine flares as back-up. Remember though, that a mobile phone cannot be relied upon since signal quality is often intermittent at best when at sea”. Read more on the MCA website…
People aren’t wearing lifejackets because they underestimate the risk of falling into the water and don’t appreciate the danger of cold water shock, according to new research commissioned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
National Water Safety 