Importance of lifejackets at sea reaffirmed by report

Wednesday 08 August 2018

UK statistics show 13 people who drowned at sea last year could have been saved if they were wearing a lifejacket or using a buoyancy aid.

These are the findings of this year’s Casualty Review Panel, which meets annually to discuss the previous year’s appropriate maritime fatalities and topics such as if implements like lifejackets would have made a difference.

This year the panel looked at 27 fatalities and of these, 13 might have been saved had they been wearing a lifejacket, it decided.

Guernsey’s Harbourmaster Captain David Barker said:  “This report from the UK maritime casualty review panel carries no surprises. In particular, Guernsey Harbours strongly condemns anyone who takes charge of a vessel of any size while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such behaviour is reckless and can put you, your passengers, and other people’s lives at risk at sea and in port. 

"We would also like to stress that lifejackets should not be seen as an ‘optional extra’ for you or your passengers, regardless of weather conditions or the length of your planned trip."

Captain Barker also said it was important to have a means of communication with the shore, preferably a marine VHF radio, and to be aware what the weather and tides are doing during your trip.

The panel backed all of these measures in its list of 2018 recommendations. 

"We fully endorse the sea safety messages from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. For more information on how to safely use our waters you can visit Guernsey’s Harbours website page: http://www.harbours.gg/safe-at-sea-guernsey-coastguard or speak to a member of the Guernsey Harbours team.” 

The report also found that 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.