Thirteen people who drowned in 2017 might be alive today had they been wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, a maritime safety panel has found.
These are the findings of this year’s Casualty Review Panel, which meets annually to discuss maritime fatalities in the fishing and boating sectors. This year the Panel looked at 27 fatalities and stressed that wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid appropriate to your activity greatly improves your chances of surviving the shock of entering cold water.
People who have been drinking alcohol are more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. In 2017 14 of the 27 fatalities had been drinking – accessing boats in harbour was a particular issue. The panel strongly recommended that boat users consider using lifejacket lockers provided in harbours.
Communication ability
Carrying a means of raising the alarm and knowing how and when to use it is vital in an emergency, making a real difference in survivability rates, said the Panel. In 2017, two people’s lives might have been saved had they been carrying a means of communication, to tell the Coastguard where to search.
The panel particularly recommended carrying a vhf DSC radio and knowing how to use it to contact the Coastguard or other vessels; carrying a Personal Location Beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon; and downloading the RYA SafeTrx app to a phone.
Organisations involved in the panel include the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), Angling Trust, Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
