Two events involving our marine rescue services over the past week have illustrated the complex attitude we share, as islanders, to the sea around us. The accidental discovery of bales of cocaine off the south-west coast after an emergency call-out is a reminder of the vulnerable nature of our 4,350km coastline to illegal trading in narcotics.
There have been many warnings about this vulnerability in the past. During the trial over the seizure of €25 million worth of cannabis on the yacht Brimeoff Clare in 1993, the west coast was described as the easiest in Europe for this type of activity.
It was fortunate that for so many decades the State could rely on the unofficial coastwatch provided by staff with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, before lighthouse automation.
The second event last week was the disruption by the weather of a junior regatta in Dún Laoghaire. Well-funded and highly trained marine emergency staff and volunteers under Irish Coast Guard direction reacted promptly when a forecast deterioration in weather hit 141 competitors in 115 dinghies on the water.
There was a time when this State depended heavily on Britain for air/sea marine rescue, but the activity in Dublin Bay showed last week that this is no longer the case. Questions remain about the decision to hold the event in the face of a Met Éireann gale forecast, while there is also some debate about whether such an intense and high level response was necessary. What happened was dramatic to be sure but it seems that all concerned - organisers, participants and the rescue services - reacted to events correctly as a result of which no lives were lost and injuries were few and minor.
The regatta's host club, the Royal St George in Dún Laoghaire, appears to have been more than adequately prepared for difficulties, if it had, as it says, 22 rescue boats and three support yachts on the water - double the recommended Irish Sailing Association ratio.
Young dinghy sailors wear buoyancy aids as second nature, and would have capsized many times before. Learning how to "right" craft again is part of a comprehensive ISA training system that nurtures a healthy respect for, rather than an irrational fear of, the sea.
With some 63 per cent of our population living within 10 miles of the coastline, learning to use wind on water is an invaluable skill, and one which should be more accessible and affordable, rather than less. It would be a pity if last week's events at Dún Laoghaire placed any needless restriction on an activity that is synonymous with freedom.