Broads Authority's safety record praised
The Broads continues to be a safe waterway for boating according to its annual incident statistics.
For the second year running there were no boat related deaths and only 11 people were reported as requiring hospital treatment. There were only four boat fires, half that of the previous year, and a fifth of the number in 2006. One of the four was caused by arson, and only one of the boats had a Boat Safety Certificate.
Steve Birtles, the Broads Authority’s Head of Safety, said: “The Broads Authority has sought to continue to highlight the message of personal responsibility for safety in its publications and has encouraged boaters to take a more proactive role by becoming better informed and wearing lifejackets.
“This year has seen a noticeable increase in the number of boaters seen wearing lifejackets. Our statistics demonstrate that the Broads continues to be a safe place for boating.”
David Broad, Chair of the Boating Safety Management Group, paid tribute to the dedication of the safety team.
He said: “Years of work by key officers in cooperation with users have lead to continuous improvement in safety monitoring and achievement. But there is always more that can be done”.
Last year six out of 11 injuries needing hospital treatment on the Broads were caused when people were embarking or disembarking.
The Broads Authority is trying to raise awareness of the need to “look before you leap” when getting on and off boats and is about to launch a new safety campaign.
It is piloting photo-luminescent (glow in the dark) discs by mooring posts on 24 hour moorings at Cantley which is an unlit mooring adjacent to a pub.
The Authority is also considering painting the edge of some of its moorings in white so they stand out in the dark.
Safety tips for boating include:
Wear a lifejacket when on your boat or close to the water.
Don’t jump on to the bank, but step carefully, checking the ground is solid and avoiding holes. Keep one hand on the boat and one for yourself.
Wear flat, non-slip shoes.
Carry a torch at night.
Be aware of the danger of consuming alcohol which could affect your balance and judgement.
Avoid returning to your boat alone –pair up, especially at night.
For more safety advice read the Broads Authority’s free visitor magazine “Broadcaster,” or visit www.broads-authority.gov.uk
Boaters are invited to report incidents on-line via an electronic form on the Broads Authority’s website.
28/05/09
