Letter: Lifesaving buoys are vital

Andrea Sharrock of Sheffield writes:

Thank you for a well written article “Drowning girls miracle survival” on the front page of last week’s North Coast Courier. So many brave people are willing to risk their lives for others.

I do believe that the appropriate follow up to this article would be a huge front-page photograph of a pink lifesaving torpedo buoy. Several of these are being stolen from our North Coast beaches. I think the whole community needs educating on the importance of these lifesavers. If a person dies as a direct result of no buoyancy aid being available to throw out to them, in my opinion it is tantamount to manslaughter.

I see that the one on Colwyn Drive (Sheffield Beach) has been stolen. My cousin very nearly lost her life on that beach due to the strong currents.

As a community newspaper, please educate the public on the importance of these pink lifesavers. I’m sure the perpetrators are just children with no real understanding of the possible consequences. We also need to remind parents that they could be held directly responsible if they are aware that a bright pink buoy is in the hands of their child and not on its stand or busy saving a life.

After 15 years living on this unpredictable coastline, seeing so many people lose their lives, we carry a torpedo buoy in our car every time we go to the beach. After all, it could be your family member next.

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