Maritime and Coastguard Agency
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HE WOULD STILL BE HERE TODAY - MCA LIFEJACKET PODCAST TARGETS FISHERMEN

HE WOULD STILL BE HERE TODAY - MCA LIFEJACKET PODCAST TARGETS FISHERMEN

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 15 December 2009

The latest video Podcast produced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency features true life experiences from Jane Dolby from Essex, a widow who lost her husband to the sea, Tom Smith from Fife, a fisherman who survived his boat sinking, and Neil Murray, a fisherman from Looe in Cornwall.

112 fishermen have been lost at sea since the year 2000, and if they had been wearing a lifejacket their chances of survival would have been far greater.

In 2009 alone there has been a further 9 fatalities involving fishermen and several of these may have been prevented had they been wearing lifejackets.

Families who have lost loved ones face the legal battle that ensues when a body is not found.

Gerry Wood, Coastguard Sector Manager, South East Cornwall said:

We are not telling fishermen anything that they do not already know.

What we are saying is – if you end up in the water, a lifejacket may give you your best chance of staying alive.

Lifejackets are useless unless worn.

Notes to Editors:

The latest video podcast produced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has now gone live on the website http://www.mcapodcasts.co.uk/

Contacts:

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office
Phone: 023 8032 9401
NDS.MCGA@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Fred Caygill.
Phone: 02380 329307
Mobile: 07713 654690
fred.caygill@mcga.gov.uk

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