Vandalism that could cost a life

Monday 30 June 2014

Jersey coastguard is urging islanders to report damage to lifebuoys, after finding some of them with their throwing handles cut.

Each lifebuoy’s throwing handle contains 30 metres of strong buoyant line with a breaking strain of 250 kg – in emergencies, the buoys are thrown out to someone in trouble, and pulled back using the handle and line.

Jersey Coastguard & VTS manager Russell Mathew said that stealing the buoyant line from inside the lifebuoys could cost a life – especially as the great weather and rising sea temperatures are likely to mean that more and more Islanders are getting out on the water.

He said: “Lifebuoys are always readily accessible for public use in key areas around the Island’s coastline and could be vital in saving a life.

“Jersey Coastguard makes great efforts throughout the year to educate and engage with the public in terms of safety at sea advice so to put someone’s life further at risk thanks to what appears to be acts of mindless vandalism is beyond belief.”

The police are investigating the most recent theft from a lifebuoy at St Catherine’s breakwater, which was reported by a local fisherman.