Sir, - I would like to congratulate you on your Editorial "Safety atSea" (August 15th). The more debate, comment and criticism on thistopic, then the greater likelihood we have of reducing drownings at sea.
There are many facets to the whole subject of drowning and amultiple approach by many organisations and communities and above allby users of our wonderful waterways is necessary to reduce the numberof drownings.
The first World Congress on Drowning held in Amsterdam earlier thisyear was told that 80 per cent of drownings are preventable - forexample by the wearing of life-jackets and by making boaters andparents of young children more aware of the risks .
The Minister's plan to review the safety of watercraft is welcome;however, last year marine related leisure drownings accounted for just11 out of 86 accidental drownings, so a lot more needs to be done toraise public awareness.
Whilst you mentioned in your Editorial that Britain and Ireland arethe only EU states with such scant regulations for leisure and lightangling craft our nearest neighbour has the second lowest rate ofdrownings per capita in Europe, after Germany.
Legislation alone will not reduce drownings to an acceptable level.Education, training and most of all a behavioural change are required.- Yours, etc.,
Lt-Cdr JOHN F. M. LEECH,
Chief Executive,
Irish Water Safety Association,
The Long Walk,
Galway.