??
Conduct code to govern adventure sports centres
Monday, November 05, 2012
A code of conduct designed to improve the safety of adventure sports centres is being drawn up after a near- tragedy off the east coast.
Following a request from Tourism and Sport Minister Leo Varadkar, the Irish Sports Council and Coaching Ireland are examining, in co-operation with the relevant governing bodies of the various sporting codes, a potential code of conduct to govern the operation of such centres. A spokesman for the minster confirmed yesterday that the consultation process was due to conclude shortly.
He said the minister will consider the outcome of the process before deciding how best to improve safety.
News that the consultation process is almost complete comes less than a month after the Marine Casualty Investigation Board published its investigation into an incident involving schoolchildren off Co Louth last year. Seven sixth-class pupils from St Brigid?s Girls? NS in Glasnevin, attending the Neptune Outdoor Centre, were left stranded in heavy seas after their kayaks capsized in rough conditions at Clogherhead on May 26, 2011.
Tragedy was averted thanks to the swift actions of two alert RNLI crewmen working in a nearby lifeboat station, who saw the incident unfold and rushed to rescue six of the girls and their instructor.
A seventh pupil managed to reach the shore herself. There were no injuries.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board found that the Neptune Outdoor Centre, which has since ceased trading, had no official affiliated with either the Irish Sailing Association or the Irish Canoe Union, and was effectively unregulated, with no monitoring of staff or operations.
It said although the instructor on duty that day was experienced in water sports, he had no formal qualification, and no support or rescue boat was provided.
A gale warning and small craft warning issued by Met ?ireann was either not known about or went unheeded, the report found.
And it said the ratio of one instructor to seven pupils was insufficient in the prevailing conditions.
"Due to the lack of any official register, this centre and all others like it are effectively unregulated, with no monitoring of staff or operations," the board said.
It urged that the minister review the standards for activity centres involved in marine sports, and focus on standards for safety management systems, instructor qualifications, and equipment safety.
"Marine Casualty Investigation Board recommendations are in all cases studied in detail by the department and acted upon where appropriate," the minister?s spokesman said.
?
Source: http://feeds.irishexaminer.com/~r/ieireland/~3/-hMguytv3OA/
belize resorts nikki minaj grammy performance shel silverstein niki minaj grammy performance grammys 2012 deadmau5 phoebe snow
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.