Displaying items by tag: ringbuoys

16th July 2013

Public Vigilance Urged After Lifebuoy Vandalised in Limerick City

#watersafety – Limerick City Council is urging members of the public to report damaged, stolen, missing or retrieved ringbuoys after a lifebuoy box and pole were vandalised at Athlunkard Bridge.

A member of a local boat club last night reported the missing lifebuoy to the Council's Water Safety Development Officer who on inspection determined that the lifesaving device was either stolen or thrown into the River Shannon. The lifebuoy, which is due to be replaced in the coming days, is one of 16 lifebuoys to have been replaced around Limerick City since the beginning the year.

According to Valerie Stundon: "Lifebuoys are crucial to preventing drownings in Limerick's waterways. The damaging or removal of such vitally important equipment endangers lives which is why I urge members of the public to report such incidences directly to Limerick City Council or via www.ringbuoys.ie ."

Commenting on last night's incident at Athlunkard Bridge, the Council's Water Safety Development Officer said: "The lifebuoy box and pole were ripped from the ground and more than likely thrown into the river. A report was received from a member of Athlunkard Boat Club who reported that some people who have been jumping into the river have taken the buoy, got rid of the ring and have used the rope to make a swing by tying it on to a tree. I have now requested the Council's Roads Department to have a new pole, lifebuoy box and buoy erected during the coming days."

Ms. Stundon confirmed that a lifebuoy box and pole at Corbally Baths have recently suffered a similar fate as the Athlunkard Box and Pole.

She continued: "Keeping in mind that a stolen ringbuoy means a stolen life, it is regrettable that a very small minority of people continue to engage in stealing or vandalising ringbuoys, and fail to appreciate the potentially very serious consequences of their actions. The WSDO would ask members of the public to refrain from interfering with any lifebuoy around the City and only use them in the event of someone entering the river and requiring assistance. Lifebuoys are not a toy."

Limerick City Council has 53 lifebuoys located around the City. 45 replacements were made in total in 2012 with a recurrence for replacements of 3-4 times at some locations. 16 have replaced to date in 2013.

Members of the public are requested to report damaged, stolen, missing or retrieved ringbuoys via www.ringbuoys.ie , or by emailing [email protected] or calling 061-407100.

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.