States accused of failing to take water safety seriously

Alan Jenner, a local expert in water safety, has claimed that recommendations in the island’s first water safety strategy have not been adopted, as States committees have avoided taking responsibility for the issue.

The strategy proposed better signage, education and making sure all swimming areas had well-maintained lifesaving equipment, among other ideas.

‘Despite repeated calls for support from the States to take water safety seriously, no committee wants to take responsibility for this,’ said Mr Jenner.

‘Individuals have been supportive and absolutely understand the need for a water safety strategy, but this has not been considered or adopted by the States, and the community remains exposed to significant elements of danger.

‘Following research into accidents and incidents around the island, evidence has been supplied to the States in order to prevent future risk, but to date, despite individual support, these recommendations remain outstanding.’

Mr Jenner recently became chairman of the Guernsey Water Safety Action Group, which includes the Sports Commission, RNLI, Coastguard and St John, having previously used private funding from law firm Mourants to arrange for experts from the UK to write the island’s first ever water safety strategy

A statement provided by the States confirmed that it was also represented on the action group and that its involvement showed that it took water safety seriously.

‘This group includes government representatives across several States services as well as non-governmental representatives, who collectively work together on this,’ it said.

The States added that safety at sea and in pools was paramount to schools, the ports and coastguard services, among other areas of the organisation.

Mr Jenner spoke out again about the risks of stand-up paddle boards and kayaks, after saying earlier this summer that he in a single week he had seen more than two dozen children out on them without any buoyancy aids.

‘Half don’t have leashes, many have two people on the board, and most obviously have not had lessons and this includes adults,’ he said.

‘They hold the paddle the wrong way around, their board is not pumped up enough, and they have zero safety equipment, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof case. ‘

Mr Jenner said the level of complacency was reflected on Visit Guernsey’s website in an image of a paddle boarder not wearing a lifejacket, although a dog with him was wearing one.

Guernsey Coastguard recorded 199 inshore incidents between January 2019 and September 2023. They did not include incidents which went unreported after being resolved by the intervention of a member of the public.

‘Rescues happen by the public pretty much on a weekly basis,’ said Mr Jenner.

‘But we have to prevent rather than cure these incidents, before it’s too late.’

He said the island had seen significant sea safety incidents this year, including two recently which required police officers to rescue separate groups of teenagers trapped by high tides.

‘This year, we have had one fatality, one incident from wall jumping, many near misses, and major incidents at the Bathing Pools from the wake that hits the Ladies’ Pool.

‘We seem to want to brush bad news under the carpet, but we simply must hit this risk head on before it’s too late and we see another tragedy unfold.’

The States’ statement mentioned several service areas which have water safety measures in place.

‘In Education, Sport & Culture, many staff hold national water safety and lifesaving certificates, health and safety protocols are in place for pool hire and pool signage, and water quality complies with national guidance,’ it said.

‘As part of risk assessments for school trips involving water, parents and carers are asked to be clear about their child’s competence in the water, enabling the necessary safeguarding mitigation to be put in place.

‘Guernsey Coastguard and Guernsey Ports also continue to run sea safety campaigns each summer across social media, promoting good sea safety practices.’

Mr Jenner is the Sports Commission’s outdoor and adventure sports development officer, but said he was expressing his views as an individual and water safety professional, and not on behalf of the commission.