Just three rescues on Mayo’s beaches this summer

Áine Ryan

STATISTICS released by Irish Water Safety indicate it was a relatively quiet summer for lifeguard rescue operations on County Mayo’s beaches. With just two rescues with the aid of boats and one without using a craft, figures reveal that there were 5,405 incidents on the county’s beaches of advice been given regarding safety while pursuing leisure activities. This figure is just under half the number of incidents of advice given on Co Cork beaches (9,690) where there were seven rescues without craft and five with craft during June and July.
Dramatically, at 40, Co Clare reported the highest number of rescues aided by boats, with 25 on Kerry’s beaches and 17 such rescues on Donegal beaches.
Accident prevention by lifeguards on Co Mayo’s beaches numbered 306 while Sligo’s lifeguards reported a whopping 1,658 and Co Clare’s lifeguards reported 5,507, higher than Cork (4,547) by 960.
Neighbouring Co Galway reported five rescues with craft, three without and 450 cases of accident prevention.
Irish Water Safety is a registered charity which focusses on Public Awareness and education. Tragically, some 133 people drown each year in Ireland. 
“We feel that this is simply unacceptable considering that most fatalities are avoidable.  We strive to reduce these fatalities by increasing water safety awareness and by changing attitudes and behaviours so that our aquatic environments can be enjoyed with confidence and safety,” they state.