IRISH WATER Safety (IWS) has reminded boaters of the importance of a good weather forecast before taking to the water.
Weather must be factored in, especially today, as gales, changeable and inclement weather were forecast nationally, it said.
IWS wished to remind the public of the shorter daylight hours. A spokesman asked water lovers not to “be too ambitious” this bank holiday Monday.
“On average 158 people are drowning in Ireland each year, so it will be essential to wear suitable protective clothing and a personal flotation device when on the water – and avoid taking unnecessary risks, especially taking alcohol or drugs.”
IWS say surfers, kayakers and kite surfers will experience a challenging environment due to gales and need to wear suitable wet suits or dry suits and make arrangements to go out with others.
Anglers will be at risk, and foreign nationals in particular should be extremely vigilant, as the Atlantic swell is dramatically different to that experienced on the relatively calmer Baltic Sea, to which many of them are accustomed.
Water enthusiasts are warned that their lifeline in an emergency is 999 and 112, and to carry a mobile phone and ask for the Marine Rescue.
Members of the public who discover disturbed ringbuoys are asked to log on to www.ringbuoys.ie to report them, and to remember that “a stolen ringbuoy is a stolen life”.