Reducing Vandalism to Rescue Equipment through Highlighting it & Education in Co. Cork.

“A Stolen Ringbuoy – A Stolen Life” - Together let's encourage a respectful attitude towards rescue equipment around our County.  

By Caroline Casey, Water Safety Development Officer, Cork County Council.

Cork County Council and Irish Water Safety are
pleading with the public to safeguard our nations 
Ringbuoys in order to help reduce drowning. 

Educational cut out stands are doing the rounds of the 
County in Schools and at events to get the message 
out there in County Cork to school children and their 
parents.  We are hoping for an attitude change towards
vandalising this lifesaving equipment.


 The picture above shows some children have fun with the Cut Out Stands recently at our Education Day on the Beaches. 

Lives will be lost unless the public assists the local authorities to ensure that ringbuoys are not interfered with or damaged.  If you spot it, jot it and report it on ringbuoys.ie 

The placement of ringbuoys at many locations throughout Ireland has contributed to the saving of many lives.  The Irish Water Safety Association introduced a specific colour code for the ring buoy, rope and box to enhance visibility and to reduce vulnerability to theft and abuse. It is compact and light in design, allowing it to be thrown to the casualty in the water, and if missed it can be quickly retrieved and re-thrown .

Regrettably, there are still incidents of malicious damage and theft to these lifesaving appliances and there is a continuing need for the public to be made aware, in unambiguous terms, that damage or theft of such ringbuoys or the attached rope, could result in the loss of life.  Ringbuoys have played an important role in reducing accidental drowning.  Efforts continue to educate the public that "A Stolen Rinbuoy can mean a Stolen Life". 

The Local Authorities maintain Ringbuoys as lifesaving appliances nationwide. The purpose of these Ringbuoys is twofold: Firstly they act as a constant visible reminder of the danger that the Aquatic environment represents, and they are intended to be used to effect a life-saving rescue of any person who may find themselves in distress. Some irresponsible members of the public vandalise these lifesaving appliances. Some of the Local Authorities on their regular checks particularly in urban areas discover that they are either missing or have been vandalised. There is obviously a financial cost to this vandalism to be borne by the ratepayers and taxpayers, but the serious risk is to human life caused by the deliberate damage to this equipment.

Cork Co. Council & Irish Water Safety are appealing to the public to assist in maintaining these vitally important lifesaving appliances in good condition at all times. Any person seen tampering with or in possession of these lifebelts should be reported to the Local Authorities and/or the Gardaí. Please report missing ringbuoys to the relevant Local Authority by clicking on www.ringbuoy.ie .

Any person coming upon the Ringbuoy or ropes in unsatisfactory condition can assist in public safety by untangling the rope and replacing it in the boxes or hooks provided for the purpose. Please coil the ropes in a clockwise direction and place the coil of rope at the bottom of the box or on the hanging hook provided.  The Gardai have been successful in convicting members of the public for interfering with and damaging lifesaving equipment but they require the public’s continued assistance in successful prosecutions.