THE DEPARTMENT of the Environment says it will study “anything that can be learned” from the official inquiry into the Dún Laoghaire junior regatta incident in Dublin Bay almost two years ago.
However, the department has stopped short of confirming that the Irish Coast Guard will be declared a “primary emergency service” – a status currently held by the Garda Síochána, fire brigade and ambulance services.
Currently, lack of such status means that local authorities are not obliged to consult with the Irish Coast Guard in relation to preparing for marine emergencies.
Marine sources have told The Irish Times that lack of full involvement by the Irish Coast Guard in such planning could result in a repeat of the Dún Laoghaire incident, where declaration of the national emergency plan caused considerable confusion.
The report into the Royal St George Yacht Club regatta incident, when a number of yachts capsized in a squall during racing off Dún Laoghaire on July 5th, 2007, has ruled that the activation of the national emergency plan “appears to have been excessive and an over-reaction, due to lack of understanding of the situation”.
Since the incident, the Irish Sailing Association has published recommendations aimed at improving event management and ensuring emergency plans are in place for sailing events.
The Irish Coast Guard has confirmed in correspondence with the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) on the report that it did not activate the national emergency plan. The Irish Coast Guard had been notified, and had tasked assistance.
It was only when the incident was notified to the Garda Communications Centre that the plan was activated.
No one was injured in the incident, but seven competitors among 16 young people taken to hospital suffered cold and shock and were discharged later that evening.
Some 25 boats among 115 boats racing required assistance, and all were assisted by rigid inflatable boats (Ribs) in attendance at the event.
Some 85 to 90 boats sailed ashore without assistance.
The report, published by the MCIB earlier this week, noted that there was sufficient “on-water resources” to handle the multiple capsizes experienced by the fleet.
All sailors were of Irish Sailing Association level 4 standard and were experienced in capsize conditions, it notes. Sailing for the less experienced “harbour fleet” was cancelled.
The report notes that the principal race officers were aware of a gale forecast, and intended to run two races and get the fleet off the water before the wind veered to the southwest.
“Unfortunately, due to squalls, the forecasted weather conditions materialised sooner than expected and the various capsizes were caused by the sudden increase in wind speed,” it says.
It says it was “prudent” of the race officers to request shoreside assistance.
However, the decision to bring the sailors back to all four Dún Laoghaire-based yacht clubs complicated efforts to confirm that all competitors and rescue personnel were safely ashore, it says.