A potentially fatal accident was narrowly averted on Monday night around 7pm as a RIB travelling at 28 knots came across a swimmer way off the beach and in the middle of the Western commercial shipping corridor into/out of Cork harbour.  That’s well outside the line to the Dutchman or Bunny’s, if you’re not aware. The swimmer was in a wetsuit and had a black hat.  No buoy.   No brightly coloured hat.  Nothing.  If it had not been flat calm, the skipper would not have seen him.  He had no expectation that there would be anyone in the water that far out.  There should not be.

I’ve no idea who the swimmer was.  The RIB skipper who contacted us about the incident used a very good line that I’ll reproduce here.  Don’t take offence.  He’s 100% right and he went to some trouble to document the incident and make contact about it.

“while your swimming community may think that they are at the centre of the universe the majority of people in sailing clubs and other boat users have absolutely no idea that you guys even exist and those that do see you as “water pests” in much the same way that a lot of road users view cyclists.”

Why put yourself in danger by going out too far, not using a buoy or not wearing a high-vis hat, at the very least?

We’ve been saying this for years.  We are each responsible for our own safety.  Be responsible.   Please, listen and spread the word.

https://myrtlevilleswimmers.com/2013/05/31/stay-safe-swim-safe/