PFCC David Allen is encouraging members of the public to attend the Bluelight Day at Whitehaven Harbour.
The event will run from 1-4pm on Saturday, July 27, and will coincide with Drowning Prevention Day.
The World Health Organisation's campaign for Drowning Prevention Day 2024 is ‘Seconds Can Save a Life’. It may only take a few seconds for drowning to occur but by following some small, simple actions, you can save a life.
These actions include putting on a lifejacket before getting on a boat, paddleboard, Kayak, or any craft on the water; telling someone before you leave for a swim or boating excursion; volunteering to join your friend for a swim, rather than letting them go alone; and keeping an eye on your children while they play in the water.
David Allen comments: “I hope as many people as possible can attend the Bluelight services ‘Drowning Prevention’ event on Saturday at Whitehaven harbour, as there will be some really good opportunities to learn from our emergency support organisations.
“When in and around water, people often overestimate their ability, ignore weather forecasts, and think their swimming skills alone will save them.
“Drowning is sudden, abrupt, and shocking. So much can happen in a single moment. But with the right awareness and actions, what happens in those seconds can also be changed for the better."
During the Bluelight ‘Drowning Prevention Day’ there will be opportunities to view various lifeboats from Workington and St Bees, live waterborne rescue demonstrations, water safety advisers to answer any questions, a historical display of RNLI memorabilia at the Beacon, live music from the Sea Shanty group and the Coastguard, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service, Police, Wasdale Mountain Rescue, Maryport Rescue, and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners are also attending.
Tim Chittenden, Workington RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said: "We wanted to take this opportunity to mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI and celebrate our colleagues who are part of other volunteer emergency services.
"We are looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible to our event and showing the capabilities of what our volunteers and boats can do."
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