Coastal fatality figures 1 released today (9 June) by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) show 39 people lost their lives around Scotland’s coast last year – an increase of 63% on the previous year’s 24 losses. There were also a number of near-fatal incidents, with the RNLI’s lifeboat crews in Scotland rescuing 953 people and saving 21 lives 2 in 2015.
The figures are released as the charity enters the third year of its national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, which aims to halve accidental coastal deaths by 2024.
The campaign is targeted at adult men, who account for by far the most incidents. Last year saw an increase in the number of men losing their lives at the Scottish coast. Between 2011 and 2014, men accounted for over three-quarters (76%) of Scottish coastal deaths but, in 2015, this increased to 92%.
A surprising trend is that many of the coastal deaths each year are people who never planned to enter the water. Of the 39 deaths last year, 79% did not intend to get wet – people taking part in activities such as coastal walking, angling or commercial activity. In fact, walking and running accounted for over one-fifth (21%) of last year’s coastal deaths in Scotland; commercial use of the water accounted for 38% (15), and angling 13% (5). Swimming, jumping in and general leisure use accounted for 10% (4).
The number of deaths due to commercial activity was up markedly due to the tragic loss of eight lives in one incident when the MV Cemfjord foundered in the Pentland Firth in January 2015.
Over the past five years, 173 lives have been lost around the coast of Scotland – an average of 35 each year. The RNLI is aiming to halve the number of coastal deaths by 2024 and is this year renewing its warning to people about the dangers of cold water, slips and falls, rip currents and waves.
Mike Garfitt, one of Scotland’s Community Incident Reduction Managers, says:
‘People need to treat the water with respect – it’s powerful and unpredictable. Each year RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards save hundreds of lives but, sadly, not everyone can be saved. We lose an average of 35 lives around Scotland’s coasts each year and the real tragedy of the situation is that many of these deaths could have been prevented.
‘Cold water is a real killer. People often don’t realise how cold our seas can be – even in summer months the sea temperature rarely exceeds 12oc, which is low enough to trigger cold water shock. If you enter the water suddenly at that temperature, you’ll start gasping uncontrollably, which can draw water into your lungs and cause drowning. The coldness also numbs you, leaving you helpless – unable to swim or shout for help.
‘The fact that 79% of the people who died at the coast last year never planned to enter the water suggests people are also not taking enough care along the coastline itself. We’re warning people to stay away from cliff edges, particularly where there is slippery, unstable or uneven ground; stick to marked paths and keep an eye on the water – watch out for unexpected waves which can catch you out and sweep you into the water.
‘The loss of eight lives in the Cemfjord incident is a great tragedy. Our campaign, however, is targeted at the individuals who are heading to the coast and can take more personal responsibility for their own safety – they should find out about the hazards, know what to do should they get into difficulty, and know what to do should they see someone else in danger.’
UK-wide, the number of lives lost at the coast reached a five-year high last year, with 168 lives lost. The Respect the Water campaign will run throughout the summer on channels including cinema, outdoor, radio, online, and, for the first time, on catch-up TV channels.
The charity is asking people to visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater where they will find information on how to stay safe.