Clyde coastguard warns of dangers of inflatable boats and toys at the beach

London, 1 June/GNN/ -- MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (no 1) issued by The Government News Network on 1 June 2008 Clyde Coastguard has issued a stark warning to families who use inflata

"A potential disaster was averted today. If these people had not been seen
so quickly and resources sent to them, they could have been on their way
to Ireland by now and the end result would have been far more sinister,"
says Peter Stewart, Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager.

The woman and the three children, one of whom was only five, were seen blowing
offshore in the dinghy at 2.40 pm this afternoon. Clyde Coastguard received
a call from Police in to the Coastguard operations room, quickly followed by
a 999 call from a concerned member of the public. The Coastguard requested
the Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team to attend the scene and the Troon RNLI all
weather lifeboat to launch. The woman and children were picked up from the
dinghy and taken to Ayr Harbour where they were met by the Coastguard Rescue
Team and an awaiting ambulance.

Peter Stewart, Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager says:

"These people were ill prepared for taking to sea with no lifejackets and no
paddles and wearing beach wear. Once the offshore wind picked them up they
had absolutely no control over their fate and, as the beach disappeared into
the distance, their only hope could be that some one would notice and make
the right decision to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

"Inflatable toys and boats are far more suitable for swimming pools and the
like. However if your child is using an inflatable, make sure they are being
supervised and that the inflatable is secured to the shoreline; ideally held
by an adult. An inflatable can easily be blown away from the shore even with
a slight breeze."

Source: Maritime and Coastguard Agency

2008-06-01 12:05:44 0374162 PRNEWSWIRE