MINISTER CALLS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN TO WEAR LIFEJACKETS

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today (23 June 2011) launched a new initiative to encourage a greater uptake in the wearing of lifejackets by the commercial fishing sector. Partnering on this joint awareness campaign are BIM, Irish Water Safety and the RNLI. Representatives from fishing organisations nationwide will also support the campaign that is spearheading the message - "wearing a lifejacket may save your life". The initiative will deliver hard hitting visuals in a campaign that comes in the wake of a number of incidents this year, averaging one per month, in which tragedy may have been averted if a lifejacket was worn.

Minister Coveney commented that he was delighted to see the three organisations coming together to spearhead a campaign that will undoubtedly lead to fewer needless tragedies in the commercial fishing sector.

Also in attendance to launch the campaign were Jason Whooley, CEO BIM, John Leech, CEO IWS and representatives from the RNLI and fishing organisations nationwide.

Irish Water Safety, The Long Walk, Galway. Tel: 091-56.44.00 / 1890-420.202

Mobiles:  087-6789600 John Leech; 087-6789601 Roger Sweeney

Email:  info@iws.ie              

Website: www.iws.ie