Sir, - We write to you to convey our utter dismay at the recent spate of bogus alarm calls. In the interest of safety of all seafarers, those who put out false alarm signals should stop and think of the consequences of having rescue personnel being called out in response to these hoax alarm signals. Somebody, somewhere, sometime, will lose their life because the rescue services may be following a hoax call, needlessly elsewhere.
If the person or persons who put out these calls realised what a real emergency it is for those who put to sea in all kinds of weather whether for pleasure or to make their living from the sea, it would surely cause them to have more respect for the emergency services, who at all times, day or night, in good or bad weather will always respond to the call. We believe that any genuine seafarer would not abuse the system, such as has happened recently.
We implore of these people to show respect for the services and the people who serve so willingly to answer the call to help those in trouble at sea. - Yours, etc.,
Chairman,
Irish Fisherman's Federation,
The Pier,
Castletownbere,
Co Cork.