Irish Coast Guard warns against relying exclusively on mobile phones while at sea

The Irish Coast Guard saved more than 370 lives this year, new figures show, as the organisation warns people against relying on mobile phones as their only means of communication when at sea.

In an end-of-year statement, the coast guard said the capacity to raise an alarm and stay afloat are central to the prevention of drownings at sea or on inland waterways.

The water safety body’s core message for the New Year is to warn people to never engage in a boating activity without wearing a “fully serviced life jacket or personal flotation device”.

The Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, also cautioned against mobile phones being considered as a suitable substitute or to be relied upon as the only means of emergency communication at sea.

“Phone coverage at sea is limited and unreliable. Mobile phones are also highly susceptible to failure due to water ingress,” the statement said.

Via Irish Times