The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) in partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) hosted over 100 secondary and primary school students at the port in Ringaskiddy, Cork for a “Student Safe” water safety event to promote heightened awareness of water safety practices on Wednesday, 15th of May 2024.
The key purpose of this RNLI “Student Safe” event was to inform and educate students on vital water safety information to help prepare them when engaging in water-related activities ahead of the summer season. Since the first RNLI lifeboat station in Ireland was established in 1826, the charity has saved an estimated 8,357 lives at sea and aided a further 35,477 people.
As emergency water rescue operations often consist of a multi-agency approach, representatives from the National Ambulance Service and Community First Responders and Irish Coast Guard were also in attendance and offered student groups the opportunity to engage on a one-to-one basis, ask questions and receive potentially lifesaving information.
This water safety event formed part of a larger collaboration between the PoCC and RNLI aimed at promoting essential life-saving water safety practices. Earlier this year, promotional materials containing water safety tips were posted and erected within the main Ferry Terminal building at the Port of Cork in Ringaskiddy, which welcomed 116,000 ferry passengers passing through in 2023. Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of Cork Company, praised the event: “It is incredibly important that young people are equipped with the correct knowledge and skills should they encounter difficulties on the water. Events such as this help to broaden water safety awareness to help mitigate emergency and life-threatening incidents.”
Mowlds continued: “The Port of Cork is actively committed to working with the RNLI and other emergency service partners to promote water safety practices that create a safe environment for the local community and visitors in the Cork Harbour area.”
Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead, stated: “The RNLI saves lives at sea. But beyond the work we do on our lifeboats, we’re an active part of the community too. We are delighted to partner with other emergency services and the Port of Cork to deliver this community based event which enables local students to receive key safety messages.”
Byrne continued: “We would like to thank the Port of Cork for providing us the space and their support for this Student Safe event and all the schools for attending with their students. All the partners here today are so appreciative to have a space to work together to keep our communities safe. If any other schools would like to receive water safety talks that teach the young people in your classroom or group how to stay safe in, on and around the water we’re here to help.”
Two local schools Coláiste Muire Réalt na Mara Crosshaven and Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour N.S. attended the event at Ringaskiddy. To find out more about water safety or the RNLI, please visit: www.rnli.org. Alternatively, you can email: water_safety@rnli.org.uk
