McGrigor speaks at Holyrood on Water Rescue Review

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands and Islands MSP, spoke at Holyrood today (21st January) in a debate on the report produced by Paddy Tomkins on Scotland’s Water Rescue Review.

This review followed the appalling tragedy on Loch Awe, near Kilchurn Castle, on Saturday 21st March 2009 when four pike fishermen from Glasgow lost their lives. The lack of a freshwater loch rescue boat left members of the rescue services helpless on the lochside, listening to the cries of the drowning men, not far away, echoing in thick fog.

This incident saw the families raise money toward the purchase of a freshwater rescue boat; and saw the Scottish Government accelerate a review of this type of rescue provision across Scotland.

Here is the full text of Jamie McGrigor’s speech on the review team’s report.

‘Presiding Officer,

‘I am pleased to be able to sum up for the Scottish Conservatives in an important debate that has been, for the most part, constructive and useful. And straight away I want to echo others in the Parliament when I say that we must never take for granted the efforts of the very brave men and women who turn up to tackle floods and water emergencies all across Scotland in order to save lives and property.

‘I also want to pay tribute to Paddy Tomkins QPM, his Advisory Group and his support team for producing a sensible, thorough and practical report within a tight time period of only 5 months. I was fortunate enough to have a very positive meeting with Mr Tomkins just before he formally started work on his report and I recognise his commitment to improving matters.

‘This review was commissioned by the Scottish Government in part because of recent tragedies such as that on Loch Awe where four fishermen – William Carty, Craig Currie, Steven Carty and Thomas Douglas – lost their lives in March through drowning and which showed up the difficulties involved for a rescue operation in a freshwater loch in wintry conditions at night and in thick fog.

‘Since 1996 12 people have drowned in Loch Awe and anything that can be done to help put a stop to these tragedies will be welcomed by people who live on the loch and by the thousands of visitors who come to fish or for recreation.

‘What is most vital is that first responders have access to a boat- or to someone else who has a boat- in order to minimise the time it takes to rescue people. Cold, deep water has no mercy, it kills very quickly so speed of rescue is paramount.

‘Any multi agency approach must also be able to trigger a response to a situation at local level as quickly as possible. This would be a worthwhile outcome as would the identification of the body responsible for marking submerged reefs and other underwater hazards in freshwater lochs.

‘My one disappointment in the report is that there is no reference to the marking of underwater hazards in freshwater and I would ask that the Minister comments on this omission and addresses it at a later stage. The status quo has not proved adequate and needs improvement.

‘Indeed, as Chairman of the Loch Awe Improvement Association since 1992 I have had real concerns for some time that while we are very well served by the RNLI in terms of coastal rescue services and also the coastguard and by our excellent mountain rescue services in the mountains, there are sometimes huge gaps in the system regarding inshore freshwater lochs.

‘But many people living in rural areas would like to help as observers – they wish to be volunteers. So local safety organisations or companies should be given basic resources, such as binoculars, to observe areas of water, and they should be encouraged to have a network that can be called on by the police in an emergency. Ultimate speed is one of the main essences of rescue.

‘I am pleased to be able to report to the chamber that after the Loch Awe tragedy a local rescue boat fund was set up under the auspices of the Oban Times newspaper and this fund has attracted significant support and I must pay tribute to the families of those deceased in the recent tragedy who have raised most of the money.

‘As one of them said to me: “If our effort can save even one life it will have been worthwhile”.

‘In addition a Committee has been set up to coordinate local efforts, of which I am a member, and a Lochawe Safety Company is being established.

‘I want to congratulate Argyll & Bute Councillor Donald MacDonald, Iain Mackinnon, the Senior Environmental Health Officer and Donald Wilson of Lochawe Boats who is Vice-Chairman of the LAIA on the progress which has quickly been achieved.

‘A very good Code of Practice has been agreed on which will be circulated widely. This Code of Practice, which rightly points out that even on the hottest days the loch is very cold, suggests anyone venturing out on the water must always wear a correctly functioning and fitted life-jacket or buoyancy aid; anyone fishing from the shore should consider wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and safety; and any boat used on the loch should be `sea-worthy` and fit for purpose, the outboard engine should be in good working order and the right size for the boat and oars or paddles should be carried. Means of summoning assistance in the event of an emergency should be carried.

‘Educating the public about what to do in emergencies is a vital part of prevention – as Paddy Tomkins concludes and I strongly agree with.

‘But as I have already mentioned, the public should be informed if underwater reefs and hazards are not marked as they can be deadly. Volunteer groups can be put off marking these hazards because of fear of mitigation should they not mark them all – this situation must be addressed by the Minister and I ask him to look into this problem and see what can be done.

‘I was very impressed by an excellent demonstration shown to me by the RNLI last year on the wearing and maintenance of life jackets by people using boats. I was utterly horrified by some of the examples of life jackets with corroded and utterly useless gas canisters and some without crutch straps which are crucial to their life saving efficiency. It is obviously vital that life-saving equipment is in first-class condition and that attention is paid to the recommendations of the RNLI with regard to life jackets. I ask the Minister to follow up on this point.

‘Presiding Officer, I welcome today’s debate and Paddy Tomkins’ comprehensive report which has rightly been received positively across the chamber. The Scottish Conservatives will be voting for the motion today and we look to Ministers to implement the report’s recommendations accordingly. All of us want to see everything possible done to prevent the loss of life on our lochs and rivers and the successful implementation of this report would at least be a start. I look forward to following further consultations in the future.’