JOHN FLEETWOOD Snr.,
Sir, - Some years ago I wrote to the Board of Works pointing out that the then new harbour at Hodson Bay on Lough Ree had no ladders or steps to facilitate the recovery of anyone falling into the water.
The reply I got included that statement that chains had been provided at intervals for this purpose.
On a rock-steady boat, in broad daylight and with no panic or confusion, these chains are not easy to identify quickly. At night, in driving rain and with panic all round they would be practically invisible.
In any case they are useless as a life-saving measure. A powerfully built athlete might be able to pull himself or herself up, but for the average person they would be of no help at all.
When I visited Hodson Bay again last week there were still no ladders and a person falling off the outermost jetty would either have to swim across the harbour or be towed around its whole perimeter before being able to get ashore.
Is it too late to ask the Harbour Authority to install ladders - or must we wait for a tragedy before doing so? - Yours, etc.,
JOHN FLEETWOOD Snr., Proby Square, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.