Signs are good for saving lives at sea

A NEW initiative that could help save lives along our coastline has been launched.

The first phase of a safety sign rollout in Dublin Bay involves 31 signs located along the north Dublin coastline at ring buoys and bathing shelters.

Each sign will have its location displayed. This aims to improve the efficiency of the response of the emergency services when they receive an urgent call for help.

The Coast Guard has often encountered problems in knowing where the exact location of an emergency is, if a casualty is in the water or on a beach directing a lifeboat, helicopter or ground crew to a scene needs to be done without delay.

The project is a joint initiative between Dublin Port Company, the Irish Coast Guard and Dublin City Council and it is hoped it will save time and lives in rescues on the Dublin Bay coastline.

Colin Murray, Officer in Charge at the Irish Coast Guard station at Howth, told Northside People:

“Often time is the enemy when it comes to coastal emergencies. We need to get to the location of the casualty as soon as possible and minimise the time needed to find them.

“In the case of tourists visiting they may not be aware of the correct name of the area they’re in, even locals trying to describe what part of Dollymount beach they’re on can be difficult.

“The new signs will help the emergency services with that response.

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Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Oisin Quinn, and Pat Ward, Dublin Port Company’s Head of Corporate Services, both welcomed the initiative.