#watersafety – A unique Chain of Office was presented to the Chairman of Irish Water Safety (IWS), Breda Collins by the Kilkenny Water Safety Area Committee (WSAC) recently.

It was designed and made by Liam Costigan of Kilkenny. It is handmade from sterling silver and weighs half a Kilo. The Chain is constructed of thirty links shaped as Ringbuoys which represent the thirty voluntary WSAC's operating nationwide to promote water safety and the IWS logo is surrounded by a large ringbuoy beautifully engraved which represents the saving of life from drowning. The original logo for IWS which represents a swimmer was designed by Peter Donovan of Kilkenny Design workshop (KDW) in 1970 when the organisation was made independent from the Red Cross by the Government to bring a greater focus on water safety in Ireland.

Liam is an active Instructor of IWS in Kilkenny since 1978. He started his career as a silversmith in 1967 and worked in the Kilkenny Design Workshop until 1980 when he then established his own business.

Chairman Breda Collins who also hails from Kilkenny thanked the Kilkenny WSAC for their initiative in creating the Chain of office and for their generosity in sponsoring it. She congratulated Liam on producing this beautifully made handcraft which symbolizes the main service which IWS delivers to the public and to help reduce drowning.

With a promising forecast over the next few days the CEO of IWS, John Leech is reminding the public to stay within your depth when swimming in open water, don't consume alcohol near water and always wear your lifejacket when you go afloat.