Coastguard concern after jetski incidents off shore

Coastguard concern after jetski incidents off shore

17 July 2013

A SENIOR local Coastguard has appealed to everyone who takes to the water during the good weather to be safety conscious for themselves and others.

South Down Coastguard station officer, Norman Bridges, made the call after his unit was called into action nine times in 10 days assisting in a variety of incidents.

However, the incidents which caused most concern involved jetskis in Newcastle and Cranfield.

In Newcastle, a passer-by became so concerned about the activities of the jetskier on Saturday he called the Coastguard which sent officers to talk to him.

“The man was from Antrim and he had decided to scoot around swimmers near the Rock Pool so we had to tell him what to do and what not to do,” said Bridges.

Shortly afterwards the team was called to Cranfield to answer another emergency call involving a jetski.

“Three people were on the ski and one person was on a rubber ring when the engine became waterlogged and conked out,” said Bridges. “The people tried to swim in but four boats from the area arrived to bring them to shore.”

Bridges warned that anyone who takes to the water needs to take basic precautions and to behave in an acceptable manner.

“Equipment needs to be properly maintained, lifejackets and self preservation clothing needs to be worn and people must be fully aware of the weather and the likelihood of change,” he said.

The team members were also called out on a number of other occasions, including on Friday night to assist the Fire and Rescue Service whose firefighters were called to battle a fire in the Mournes.

The Coastguard provided four wheel drive vehicles to transport the firefighters and their equipment to the scene of the fire and provided them with communication equipment to work in the mountains.

The Coastguard also turned out after a speed boat broke down near Cranfield; to search for a boat after its distress beacon wrongly activated; to help Newcastle lifeboat after a boat was towed in from Dundrum; and to assist the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and Irish Coastguard helicopter when a walker fell and sustained back injuries in the Mournes on Monday.

“The volume and variety of incidents which we have attended in the past 10 days is symptomatic of the type of work the Coastguard is now called upon to do,” said Bridges.

“We work with all the emergency services, in training and on call outs. We back them up and they back us up to provide the best possible emergency response service,” he added.

“The team had a busy few days but responded magnificently.”