THE IRISH COAST Guard is encouraging friends and family members of water lovers to eschew the more traditional Christmas gifts this year and buy their loved ones a lifejacket.
A promotion launched yesterday is aimed at everyone from leisure craft users like paddle boarders to experienced fishermen. On its Facebook page the coast guard said:
The great weather that came with last summer saw people head in their thousands to the water to enjoy the long hot summer days. Even when the temperature dipped with the help of wetsuits, water sports enthusiasts were still able to enjoy the rivers, lakes and seas around the country.
“Unfortunately this came with tragedy with a significant increase in accidents on the water, beaches and cliffs around the country”, they added.
In anticipation of another ‘summer scorcher’ in 2014, the coast guard said they would like people to think about giving a loved one the gift of a lifejacket this Christmas.
Whether its for your fishing enthusiast dad or a younger sibling who is dying to get out on a paddle board, the coast guard said there is a lifejacket suited to them.
A horseshoe jacket, which is compact and designed for those who have on plans to enter the water starts from €60 and a traditional personal flotation device will set you back €40.
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