THE seas around these islands are littered with wrecks which bear testament to how dangerous they can be. But in recent years there have been a number of incidents where people have been swept into the tide while fishing from rocks.
In the latest of these incidents a man believed to be aged in his forties was reported to have been swept off the shoreline while fishing at a well-known but dangerous spot near Doonbeg in Co Clare.
The man, reported to be a Russian living in Limerick, was with a friend, also believed to be a foreign national, who drove up to 60km back to Limerick to raise the alarm.
There have been a number of similar tragedies in Clare in recent years and all involved foreign nationals. Perhaps this is just coincidence or it is possible that they do not possess the local knowledge that would make them aware of the dangers.
This is not a phenomenon peculiar to Ireland. Earlier this month two men lost their lives when they were swept off rocks while fishing on the Cornish coastline. One of the bodies was recovered a week later. In August a Taiwanese man drowned in similar circumstances in Wales.
Fishing has always been a popular pastime on these islands and will continue to be but it is essential that all those who take part in it take all possible precautions to ensure their own safety and that of friends and younger anglers.
That rule should apply to fishing on all bodies of water – rivers, lakes, the seas – whether on board a craft or not. And perhaps the authorities should look at what can be done to help improve safety.
For instance, it is likely that most anglers who use a boat will be equipped with a life jacket. But what about someone who is standing on a rock near the coastline? In many ways they are probably more vulnerable than those in boats. If a wave takes someone from a rock, there must be a possibility that they will be injured as they enter the water.
Perhaps they should also be required to wear life-saving equipment such as jackets or vests every time they go fishing. Perhaps there should also be areas were anglers are restricted from shore fishing.
There have been three tragedies along the Clare shoreline in recent years, all involving foreign nationals. Were any of them wearing life-saving equipment? If not their chances of surviving must surely be cut.
