Lorna Siggins warns of the risks
It might be a row over allegations that a rocksinger's husband was seen clutching a beer and child without any lifejacket on a jetski, or it might be a recent river rescue in Roscommon involving presidential security guards. Either way, water safety - or lack of it - has taken on a new dimension in the current economic climate.
Most recent Irish Coast Guard statistics show once again an increase in calls for help from pleasure and leisure craft - up by 15 per cent last year on 2004. Many of these incidents occur on inland waters where the less experienced may be under the illusion that conditions are more clement.
Wave heights may be smaller, but there is nothing like a bad storm on an uncharted inland lake, when local knowledge of hazards and wind influences is imperative.
Last year's rescue statistics indicate a 400 per cent drop in fatalities in the recreational category, which may be attributed to good weather and to greater use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and lifejackets. Lifejacket and PFD use on vessels of up to seven metres (23 feet) in length is now a legal requirement.
The Maritime Safety Act 2005 provides for safety equipment on board vessels, and includes fines and prison terms for people convicted of recklessly endangering safety, security or seaworthiness - or found intoxicated or under the influence of drugs on such craft.
Significantly, it also incorporates measures to ensure that pleasure craft, including jetskis, don't cause a disturbance or nuisance. As Maurice Mullen, head of the Department of Transport's Maritime Safety Directorate (MSD) explains, this does not automatically translate into national directives.
"The idea behind it is to empower local authorities in relation to regulating their waterways," he says. "We hope that such authorities will work towards accommodating various water users."
Some local authorities have been taking a greater interest in the legislation than others. Clare County Council is to erect signs on its Blue Flag beaches, Lahinch and Fanore, displaying a "safe cross code" for surfers. The council has already zoned areas for surfers and swimmers under its bylaws.
There was much debate when the new safety legislation was introduced in relation to enforcement - and there were calls on the Government to drop VAT on safety equipment.
To date, there have been no prosecutions for lack of PFD or lifejacket use; and the only conviction relating to irresponsible behaviour was when a jetskier was fined €350 for causing a nuisance off Inis Oirr in 2002 in breach of local bylaws.
However, Mullen says the Irish Coast Guard has been placing emphasis on the carrot, rather than stick, approach. It has also been liaising with the Garda Water Unit, which has been active in areas such as Galway over the summer. It has also completed a code of safe practice for recreational craft in consultation with groups such as the Irish Sailing Association.
See www.transport.gov.ie. Safety Guidelines for Personal Watercraft (Jetskis) and other Fast Recreational Power Boats is available from www.safetyonthewater.ie, www.iws.ie or tel (LoCall) 1890 420202. See details of the Irish Sailing Association's courses at www.sailing.ie or tel 01-2800239