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NEWS
National Coastal Safety Report 2014
Male boaters in their 60s top drowning list and rockhoppers over represented in NSWSurf Life Saving Australia’s focus on beach patrols, surveillance and emergency response measures combined to help reduce the number of coastal drowning deaths by almost a third in 2013-14.
The annual National Coastal Safety Report shows there were 84 coastal drowning deaths in 2013-14, down 29 per cent on the previous year. Some 19 of those fatalities were people who were swimming or wading. Notably, there were no drownings between the red and yellow flags on a beach patrolled by Surf Life Saving volunteers and lifeguards.
More than half of the drowning deaths in 2013-14 (43) occurred more than five kilometres from a lifesaving service. This represents a significant increase on the previous year and was the highest in the past 10 years.
"What that tells us is that the Surf Life Saving patrols are saving lives. The system works when people heed the warnings and swim between the red and yellow flags. We can’t save you if we can’t see you," Surf Life Saving Australia President Graham Ford said.
"However, the fact that we still had 19 people lose their life while swimming in areas outside of our patrolling zones is a national concern and I would urge people to please stay between the red and yellow flags this summer."
FISHING AND BOATING
In 2013-14, 38 per cent of drowning deaths occurred at beaches. A third of all drowning deaths were offshore and a quarter of all fatalities were on rocky coastlines. This is consistent with concerning increases in the drowning deaths of rock fishermen and people using boating and watercraft.
Furthermore, 89 PER CENT of all drowning deaths were male victims.
The most common age demographic was the 60-64 age group, of which 91 per cent lost their life during boating activity, using watercraft, rock fishing or diving.
"This is a particularly concerning statistic for Surf Life Saving Australia. Our safety message has long revolved around urging people to swim between the flags and that remains," Mr Ford said.
"But the heavy contribution to our drowning deaths among boating, watercraft and rockfishing enthusiasts shows that we need to pour more attention into combatting this by enhancing our emergency response system across the coastline," Mr Ford added.
LIFEJACKET MESSAGE
"Clearly these activities are taking place in areas outside of Surf Life Saving patrol zones so people need to take personal responsibility on the water and ensure that they’re always wearing a life jacket.
"They provide crucial minutes for Surf Life Savers and Emergency Services to reach and rescue you in remote areas. Sadly this has not been the case among drowning victims documented in the National Coastal Safety Report."
The majority of drowning deaths are Australians (70), even though the number of tourist fatalities doubled in 2013-14 (14). Rip currents (15 per cent), medical condition or injury (24 per cent) and alcohol or drugs (14 per cent) were the most common contributory factors.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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