Report evidence summary
Concerns raised 4 Visitors’ language difficulties and lack of experience with the sea View source Failure to maintain effective public communication about coastal safety View source Lack of formal governance and control of coastal risk management View source Insufficient education and awareness of coastal dangers View source See 1 more concern
Stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised. 50
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Use fatality data and root-cause analysis to update national, local and targeted drowning-prevention messaging, while developing improved data analysis and impact metrics.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Share drowning-prevention findings with partner organisations and support their prevention work through national and local partnership activity.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Provide and continue the Camber Sands lifeguard service, including face-to-face beach-safety information and literature, when requested and supported by the local authority.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Deliver and expand education and awareness programmes for children and others about coastal and inland-water dangers through staff, volunteers and partner organisations.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Monitor weather with the Met Office and deliver weather-dependent safety messaging through media outlets to beach users.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Identify at-risk groups, including people facing ethnic or language barriers, and determine effective ways to communicate safety messages to them.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Deliver beach-safety communications through digital platforms, modern advertising and face-to-face methods, while monitoring effectiveness and coordinating resources with other organisations.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Carry out free beach risk assessments for local authorities, landowners and beach operators to inform decisions about lifeguard provision and risk controls.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Create evidence-based activity risk profiles to identify groups at risk from water-based activities.
View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Deliver and further develop safety messaging for groups identified through activity risk profiles, raising awareness and influencing behaviour.
View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Continue supporting Swim England and partners in reviewing school swimming to remove participation barriers.
View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Standardise safety-information campaigns within the National Water Safety Forum and make campaign resources readily available to beach and other managers.
View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Improve the WAID drowning-database incident taxonomy by adding more detailed information about people involved.
View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Explore the feasibility of studying ethnicity and language skills as contributory factors in drowning.
View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Develop and implement UK and international standardised water-safety signs and symbols requiring minimal language knowledge.
View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Produce collective UK interpretation guides explaining how to implement standardised water-safety signs and symbols.
View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Continue developing, championing and informing the PSHE framework on personal safety and resilience, while advocating statutory status.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Promote beach-safety best-practice examples through the Forum’s network, communications and conferences.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Promote the National Drowning Prevention Strategy targets and track and report progress.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Update and expand use of the WAID database to produce evidence supporting targeted drowning-prevention resources.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Review the leadership arrangements for promoting strategic risk assessments and plans across recreational activity organisations.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Use the Forum’s network to promote awareness of water risks and influence public behaviour.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Disseminate best-practice examples of recreational governing-body guidance and member codes.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Review the target concerning understanding water-related self-harm.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Influence communities to complete community-level risk assessments and establish water safety plans.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Publish a report on progress since publication of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy.
View source
National Water Safety Forum Identify suitable funding sources for WAID database development.
View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Review the resources required to contribute effectively to accident prevention.
View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Nominate coastguard officers as National Drowning Prevention Officers targeting high-risk activities including diving, motorboating and swimming.
View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Operate the Coastal Safety mini-website providing consolidated safety guidance for families and casual beach visitors.
View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Fund an independent review of national beach-safety risk management and drowning prevention, including international and cross-sector comparisons.
View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Work with the RNLI on coastal risk management through visits to landowners about local risks and targeted safety interventions.
View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Develop and implement the MCA’s Drowning Prevention Strategy and implementation plan.
View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Conduct an independent review of the MCA’s accident-prevention activity and benchmark it against comparable maritime countries.
View source
Rother District Council Provide two megaphones for beach patrol warnings about sandbars and incoming tides.
View source
Rother District Council Review and revise the Camber Sands Community Risk Assessment and Safety Plan with partner agencies.
View source
Rother District Council Compile a comprehensive Camber Sands report for the Audit and Standards Committee.
View source
Rother District Council Investigate translating the visitor safety leaflet into relevant languages.
View source
Rother District Council Disseminate visitor water-safety advice through leaflets and posters at Camber Sands car parks.
View source
Rother District Council Conduct the scheduled end-of-season beach-safety debrief.
View source
Rother District Council Use an online facility for standardised weekly and incident beach-operation reporting and electronic retrieval.
View source
Rother District Council Publish the Camber Sands report and invite committee debate on further actions to meet council obligations.
View source
Rother District Council Update and install safety signage in line with the new lifeguard provision.
View source
Rother District Council Provide seasonal RNLI lifeguarding at Camber Sands under an ongoing funded contract.
View source
Rother District Council Maintain joint working with Sussex Police through Operation Radcott for missing children, vulnerable people and public-order incidents.
View source
Rother District Council Maintain a year-round Deputy Coastal Officer post to strengthen beach-management continuity and resilience.
View source
Rother District Council Develop staff training and daily briefings using learning from the 2016 incidents.
View source
Rother District Council Present Camber Sands learning to the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group for wider council dissemination.
View source
Rother District Council Operate two electronic dot-matrix signs at main beach access points with variable and multilingual messaging options.
View source
Rother District Council Assist formation of a Camber RNLI branch to support lifeguard funding and water-safety awareness.
View source Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action. 20
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Large-scale beach closures would be difficult or impossible to enforce and would require supporting legislation.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution There are no enforcement powers concerning implementation of the RNLI’s beach risk-assessment recommendations.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Those responsible for beaches must provide resources and implement the control measures identified by risk assessments.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action. View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution New lifeguard units can be established only with express permission from the relevant authority, owner or operator.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution A lifeguard service cannot prevent incidents on UK beaches, although it significantly reduces risk for people swimming between the flags.
Disputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it. View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Annual and short-term weather fluctuations have greater influence on beach safety than climate-change effects.
Disputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it. View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Local authorities, landowners and beach owners or operators decide whether to implement advisory risk-assessment recommendations.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action. View source
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Formal governance of beach-safety risk management cannot be examined on behalf of the nation.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority. View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Regulatory and enforcement action is outside the organisation’s authority because it has no regulatory or enforcement powers.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority. View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents A review of coastal and beach water safety advice is contingent on available resources.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Studying ethnicity and language as drowning factors is constrained because these characteristics are not routinely recorded at inquests.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Government should clarify national duties, while local authorities and other duty-holders determine and manage local water safety risks.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action. View source
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents Existing site management and targeted closures can manage significant hazards without blanket restrictions on public access.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed. View source
National Water Safety Forum Landowners are responsible for assessing and controlling risks, including providing identified lifeguard services, within their jurisdictions.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action. View source
National Water Safety Forum The Forum lacks legal, regulatory and enforcement powers to impose statutory beach safety governance or risk management requirements.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority. View source
National Water Safety Forum Finance limits the Forum’s ability to update and expand WAID, and it is seeking funding for that development work.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency MCA officials lack authority to restrict general beach access or prevent swimming.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority. View source
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Landowners, often local authorities, are responsible for assessing coastline and beach risks and determining appropriate safety interventions.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action. View source
Rother District Council A centralised or government-led UK coastline risk-management process would be difficult to achieve; local assessments are considered more appropriate.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
Rother District Council Restricting beach access at Camber would likely face public resistance, be disproportionate, burden operators and prove unworkable, except in exceptional circumstances.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action. View source
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Visitors’ language difficulties and lack of experience with the sea
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements. Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea . The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime, given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea.
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to maintain effective public communication about coastal safety
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements. Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea. The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime, given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process ,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea.
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of formal governance and control of coastal risk management
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements . Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea. The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime , given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea.
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient education and awareness of coastal dangers
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements. Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea. The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime, given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea .
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Use fatality data and root-cause analysis to update national, local and targeted drowning-prevention messaging, while developing improved data analysis and impact metrics.
Verbatim wording from the response “Action taken - The RNLI draws on fatality data and its root cause analysis from the National Water Safety Forum’s (NWSF) Water Incident Database (WAID). The evidence from that database (and from our own and open source data) helps inform the content of our annual national drowning prevention campaign known as ‘Respect the Water’. Learning also informs local campaigns and targeted messages to ‘at risk’ groups. This action has been underway for a number of years and also delivered through our membership of the NWSF, our support of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy and our other partnership and influencing work at national and local level. Specifically, our campaign and messages content is updated on a continuous review basis, with improved data collection/analysis and impact metrics under development.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Share drowning-prevention findings with partner organisations and support their prevention work through national and local partnership activity.
Verbatim wording from the response “Action taken - The RNLI draws on fatality data and its root cause analysis from the National Water Safety Forum’s (NWSF) Water Incident Database (WAID). The evidence from that database (and from our own and open source data) helps inform the content of our annual national drowning prevention campaign known as ‘Respect the Water’. Learning also informs local campaigns and targeted messages to ‘at risk’ groups. This action has been underway for a number of years and also delivered through our membership of the NWSF, our support of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy and our other partnership and influencing work at national and local level. Specifically, our campaign and messages content is updated on a continuous review basis, with improved data collection/analysis and impact metrics under development.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide and continue the Camber Sands lifeguard service, including face-to-face beach-safety information and literature, when requested and supported by the local authority.
Verbatim wording from the response “Action taken - The RNLI’s charitable activity to improve safety at Camber Sands has led to the provision of a 2017 lifeguard service there which we are able to provide next year and into the future on the proviso that Rother District Council requests us to and supports our service. This service includes offering face to face beach safety information and literature as well. Other aspects of beach safety there are informed by the risk assessment and we believe it is for them to ensure the necessary resource is available to implement the identified risk control measures.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Deliver and expand education and awareness programmes for children and others about coastal and inland-water dangers through staff, volunteers and partner organisations.
Verbatim wording from the response “Education and awareness of coastal dangers” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Monitor weather with the Met Office and deliver weather-dependent safety messaging through media outlets to beach users.
Verbatim wording from the response “Action taken - The RNLI monitors weather and works with the Met Office. Weather dependant messaging is already in use and we actively work with media outlets that are able to distribute weather dependent messages to beach users.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Identify at-risk groups, including people facing ethnic or language barriers, and determine effective ways to communicate safety messages to them.
Verbatim wording from the response “Ethnic and language barrier considerations” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Deliver beach-safety communications through digital platforms, modern advertising and face-to-face methods, while monitoring effectiveness and coordinating resources with other organisations.
Verbatim wording from the response “Communication” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Carry out free beach risk assessments for local authorities, landowners and beach operators to inform decisions about lifeguard provision and risk controls.
Verbatim wording from the response “In order to determine where lifeguard units should be provided and for what season length, the RNLI has developed a beach risk assessment service that is free to local authorities, land owners and beach owners/operators. However, the risk assessment and the outcome recommendations are purely advisory. It is for the local authority, land owner or beach owner/operator to then decide whether to implement the recommendations. There is no legal” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Create evidence-based activity risk profiles to identify groups at risk from water-based activities.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RNLI would also add that the way that people are using the sea appears to be changing, with more people engaging in a wider variety of water-based activities in, on and around the water.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Deliver and further develop safety messaging for groups identified through activity risk profiles, raising awareness and influencing behaviour.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RNLI would also add that the way that people are using the sea appears to be changing, with more people engaging in a wider variety of water-based activities in, on and around the water.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Continue supporting Swim England and partners in reviewing school swimming to remove participation barriers.
Verbatim wording from the response “We continue to support Swim England and partners in their review of school swimming, aimed at removing the barriers to participation⁹.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Standardise safety-information campaigns within the National Water Safety Forum and make campaign resources readily available to beach and other managers.
Verbatim wording from the response “Within the NWSF, steps have been taken to standardise and collectively approach safety information campaigns, and to make readily available these resources to beach and other managers.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Improve the WAID drowning-database incident taxonomy by adding more detailed information about people involved.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Improvements to the incident taxonomy for the WAID system, the UK’s drowning database, have been developed. These include more detailed information on the person involved.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Explore the feasibility of studying ethnicity and language skills as contributory factors in drowning.
Verbatim wording from the response “The extent to which ethnicity and language skills are a factor in drowning has not been quantified in the UK. We are currently exploring the feasibility of studying these factors. However, it is our understanding that information on these are not routinely recorded at Inquest.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Develop and implement UK and international standardised water-safety signs and symbols requiring minimal language knowledge.
Verbatim wording from the response “Steps we have already taken include:” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Produce collective UK interpretation guides explaining how to implement standardised water-safety signs and symbols.
Verbatim wording from the response “• The production of collective interpretation guides for the UK on “how to implement” these standards” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Continue developing, championing and informing the PSHE framework on personal safety and resilience, while advocating statutory status.
Verbatim wording from the response “Primarily through the RoSPA National Safety Education Committee, we will continue to develop, champion and inform the PSHE framework, which covers topics of personal safety and resilience, and to call for PSHE to become a statutory requirement.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Promote beach-safety best-practice examples through the Forum’s network, communications and conferences.
Verbatim wording from the response “The forum’s work is helping to raise awareness of beach safety and through our network, communication and conference channels we are promoting examples of best practice. Our real strength and greatest opportunity is to influence others and this is what we are doing.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Promote the National Drowning Prevention Strategy targets and track and report progress.
Verbatim wording from the response “The publication of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy was a ‘call to action’ to those organisations, local authorities and government, that are in a position to make changes in order to reduce the risk of accidental drowning and water related self-harm. It’s 5 targets set out how this can be achieved.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Update and expand use of the WAID database to produce evidence supporting targeted drowning-prevention resources.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Forum’s aim is to develop, promote and share best practice in water safety and risk management to reduce accidental death, accidents and water related self-harm. To help achieve this it established a water accident and incident database, WAID and actively curates and maintains a variety of data sources populating it. The MCA, RoSPA and the RNLI support the administration of WAID through the provision of staff time.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review the leadership arrangements for promoting strategic risk assessments and plans across recreational activity organisations.
Verbatim wording from the response “All recreational activity organisations should have a clear strategic risk assessment and plans that address key risks” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Use the Forum’s network to promote awareness of water risks and influence public behaviour.
Verbatim wording from the response “Increase awareness of everyday risks in, on and around the water” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Disseminate best-practice examples of recreational governing-body guidance and member codes.
Verbatim wording from the response “The leadership of the forum’s group, which will spearhead the promotion of this target, is being reviewed in preparation for action. To date we have spread best practice examples of recreational governing body organisations that have produced guidance and codes for their members.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review the target concerning understanding water-related self-harm.
Verbatim wording from the response “To better understand water related self-harm” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Influence communities to complete community-level risk assessments and establish water safety plans.
Verbatim wording from the response “Every community with water risks should have a community level risk assessment and water safety plan” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Publish a report on progress since publication of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy.
Verbatim wording from the response “The forum itself is actively promoting those targets and endeavouring to track and report on progress. We are due to publish a report covering progress since the strategy was published.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Identify suitable funding sources for WAID database development.
Verbatim wording from the response “Additionally, the forum is intending to update and expand the use of the WAID database in order to produce even more compelling evidence that can be used by various organisations in order to target their resources to prevent drowning. A barrier to progress is finance; the forum is seeking to identify suitable sources of funding for this WAID development work.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review the resources required to contribute effectively to accident prevention.
Verbatim wording from the response “In addition, we will review what resources we need to contribute effectively to accident prevention. Any additional identified resources will be built into the Agency’s annual Business Plan, published each April.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Nominate coastguard officers as National Drowning Prevention Officers targeting high-risk activities including diving, motorboating and swimming.
Verbatim wording from the response “In addition, Her Majesty’s Coastguard can call on its 3,500 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers based in local communities on the coast to provide engaging safety talks and demonstrations, and this is something MCA will be looking to do more of. The MCA and I are also keen to extend those opportunities to communities in our bigger cities so that people from urban backgrounds are better prepared for the risks they may encounter when they venture to the seaside. The Agency has recently nominated a number of coastguard officers to act as National Drowning Prevention Officers to target particular high - risk activities such as diving, motorboating and swimming.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Operate the Coastal Safety mini-website providing consolidated safety guidance for families and casual beach visitors.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Agency is already actively involved in some prevention work, regularly advocating safety messages and campaigns at targeted audiences. For example, in response to recent research indicating a growing public appetite for online guidance, the MCA launched this summer a Coastal Safety mini-website¹ which distils simple safety information in one place, for the benefit of families and casual beach visitors.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Fund an independent review of national beach-safety risk management and drowning prevention, including international and cross-sector comparisons.
Verbatim wording from the response “A current gap in risk management has been identified as a national issue and has been recognised through MCA’s work with the NWSF. Target 2 of the Strategy states that: ‘Every community with water safety risks should have a risk assessment and water safety plan in place’. Presently the risk management of water safety risks is conducted on an ad hoc basis and takes many different forms. To gain an understanding of the national situation, the MCA will fund an independent review of the current system of risk management pertaining to beach safety and the prevention of drowning. This will include research into how the UK compares to other leading nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Netherlands and Germany. The review will also compare other similar risk themes such as road traffic or fire harm, for the prevention of injury and will report by end of July 2018.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Work with the RNLI on coastal risk management through visits to landowners about local risks and targeted safety interventions.
Verbatim wording from the response “The MCA has recently started working closely with the RNLI on coastal risk management, including a programme of visits to landowners to discuss and advise on local risks and the potential for raising public awareness through targeted safety interventions.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Develop and implement the MCA’s Drowning Prevention Strategy and implementation plan.
Verbatim wording from the response “As part of its response to the National Drowning Prevention Strategy, which aims to halve the number of accidental drownings by 2026, the MCA has developed its own Drowning Prevention Strategy with an implementation plan; again, a copy is enclosed.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Conduct an independent review of the MCA’s accident-prevention activity and benchmark it against comparable maritime countries.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Agency will also conduct an independent review of its accident prevention activity and benchmark what it does against similar maritime countries in the world.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide two megaphones for beach patrol warnings about sandbars and incoming tides.
Verbatim wording from the response “We have continued our policy of providing a seasonal beach patrol complementing the lifeguard service and comprising nine staff in support of the Coastal Officers at Camber Sands. We have used the learning from the incidents of 2016 to develop the staff training provided at the beginning of the season and the daily briefings. We have purchased two megaphones for the use of the beach patrol to assist in moving people from sandbars on an incoming tide as required.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review and revise the Camber Sands Community Risk Assessment and Safety Plan with partner agencies.
Verbatim wording from the response “It is our intention to review and revise as necessary the Camber Sands Community Risk Assessment and Safety Plan with the assistance of the agencies represented on the Camber Beach and Water Safety Group. These agencies include RNLI, National Water Safety Forum, MCA/HM Coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance service, Camber Parish Council and the LGA, as well as a number of local businesses. We are assisting the formation of a Camber branch of the RNLI in order to raise funds for the lifeguard service and raise awareness of water safety.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Compile a comprehensive Camber Sands report for the Audit and Standards Committee.
Verbatim wording from the response “As part of our corporate governance and the requirements for accountability and scrutiny, officers of the council have compiled a comprehensive report to our Audit and Standards Committee. The report will be in the public domain a week before the committee meets on 27 September 2017 when Members of the Council will be invited to debate its contents and propose any further actions they deem necessary to meet our obligations at Camber Sands. A draft copy of the report is attached for your information.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Investigate translating the visitor safety leaflet into relevant languages.
Verbatim wording from the response “A new leaflet setting out safety advice to visitors has been handed out to visitors at Camber. A copy is attached for information. A poster of this information is on display in the public conveniences at both car parks and is therefore seen by a large proportion of the visiting public. We are investigating the translation of this leaflet into relevant languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Disseminate visitor water-safety advice through leaflets and posters at Camber Sands car parks.
Verbatim wording from the response “A new leaflet setting out safety advice to visitors has been handed out to visitors at Camber. A copy is attached for information. A poster of this information is on display in the public conveniences at both car parks and is therefore seen by a large proportion of the visiting public. We are investigating the translation of this leaflet into relevant languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Conduct the scheduled end-of-season beach-safety debrief.
Verbatim wording from the response “Similarly we have maintained the effective joint working arrangement with Sussex Police known as Operation Radcott. As previously reported, this deals with missing/found children, vulnerable people and public order incidents. Sussex Police are currently investigating the use of drones for public safety purposes and we have given permission for them to fly them over RDC land. Our regular end of season debrief is scheduled for 9 October 2017.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Use an online facility for standardised weekly and incident beach-operation reporting and electronic retrieval.
Verbatim wording from the response “We have improved the management reporting of our beach operations by developing an online facility for staff to submit both weekly and incident reports within a template that meets reporting standards and which are then stored electronically for later retrieval as necessary.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Publish the Camber Sands report and invite committee debate on further actions to meet council obligations.
Verbatim wording from the response “As part of our corporate governance and the requirements for accountability and scrutiny, officers of the council have compiled a comprehensive report to our Audit and Standards Committee. The report will be in the public domain a week before the committee meets on 27 September 2017 when Members of the Council will be invited to debate its contents and propose any further actions they deem necessary to meet our obligations at Camber Sands. A draft copy of the report is attached for your information.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Update and install safety signage in line with the new lifeguard provision.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RNLI provided us with a signage audit carried out to their internationally recognised standards, involving the updating of existing safety signs in line with the new lifeguard provision. These have been commissioned and will be installed shortly when conditions permit. In addition, we have purchased and installed two electronic dot matrix signs positioned at the main access points to the beach which have shown variable messages through the summer, with the option for messages in other languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide seasonal RNLI lifeguarding at Camber Sands under an ongoing funded contract.
Verbatim wording from the response “You will already be aware that the Council took the decision to work with the RNLI for the provision of a seasonal lifeguarding service at Camber Sands from May 2017. Co-operation between the Council and RNLI has been very good and a successful service has been provided during the summer months. There have been a number of peak days at Camber Sands with capacity crowds. These busy days passed uneventfully with both the lifeguards and the Rother beach patrol dealing with lost children, first aid and advising and informing visitors. We have been working together to evolve and modify services and expect to make a number of small changes to the dates of service and deployment of lifeguards for next year.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Maintain joint working with Sussex Police through Operation Radcott for missing children, vulnerable people and public-order incidents.
Verbatim wording from the response “Similarly we have maintained the effective joint working arrangement with Sussex Police known as Operation Radcott. As previously reported, this deals with missing/found children, vulnerable people and public order incidents. Sussex Police are currently investigating the use of drones for public safety purposes and we have given permission for them to fly them over RDC land. Our regular end of season debrief is scheduled for 9 October 2017.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Maintain a year-round Deputy Coastal Officer post to strengthen beach-management continuity and resilience.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Deputy Coastal Officer is now a year round post in support of ████████ and we expect the continuity and resilience offered by this appointment to strengthen the beach management function.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Develop staff training and daily briefings using learning from the 2016 incidents.
Verbatim wording from the response “We have continued our policy of providing a seasonal beach patrol complementing the lifeguard service and comprising nine staff in support of the Coastal Officers at Camber Sands. We have used the learning from the incidents of 2016 to develop the staff training provided at the beginning of the season and the daily briefings. We have purchased two megaphones for the use of the beach patrol to assist in moving people from sandbars on an incoming tide as required.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Present Camber Sands learning to the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group for wider council dissemination.
Verbatim wording from the response “With regard to your concern that information be shared with other relevant agencies, we are making a further presentation to the Local Government Association’s Coastal Special Interest Group on 18 September 2017 in London when we will share our learning with other councils from around the UK coastline. We are of course willing to contribute to further awareness-raising and information-sharing initiatives.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Operate two electronic dot-matrix signs at main beach access points with variable and multilingual messaging options.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RNLI provided us with a signage audit carried out to their internationally recognised standards, involving the updating of existing safety signs in line with the new lifeguard provision. These have been commissioned and will be installed shortly when conditions permit. In addition, we have purchased and installed two electronic dot matrix signs positioned at the main access points to the beach which have shown variable messages through the summer, with the option for messages in other languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Assist formation of a Camber RNLI branch to support lifeguard funding and water-safety awareness.
Verbatim wording from the response “It is our intention to review and revise as necessary the Camber Sands Community Risk Assessment and Safety Plan with the assistance of the agencies represented on the Camber Beach and Water Safety Group. These agencies include RNLI, National Water Safety Forum, MCA/HM Coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance service, Camber Parish Council and the LGA, as well as a number of local businesses. We are assisting the formation of a Camber branch of the RNLI in order to raise funds for the lifeguard service and raise awareness of water safety.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Large-scale beach closures would be difficult or impossible to enforce and would require supporting legislation.
Verbatim wording from the response “Lifeguards already utilise a ‘red flag’ option which works effectively in informing swimmers of the dangers of entering the water. This procedure has a very high level of compliance. Closing a section of beach carries the risk of transferring the problem to other beaches; where a beach safety services may exist, and is therefore used sparingly. Large scale beach closures would be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce, and would require supporting legislation. It would be reasonable to question the appetite of law-makers to pass legislation that would restrict people from accessing the beach.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation There are no enforcement powers concerning implementation of the RNLI’s beach risk-assessment recommendations.
Verbatim wording from the response “obligation for the RNLI to provide the risk assessment service and we do not have any enforcement powers concerning whether its recommendations are implemented.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Those responsible for beaches must provide resources and implement the control measures identified by risk assessments.
Verbatim wording from the response “Action taken - The RNLI’s charitable activity to improve safety at Camber Sands has led to the provision of a 2017 lifeguard service there which we are able to provide next year and into the future on the proviso that Rother District Council requests us to and supports our service. This service includes offering face to face beach safety information and literature as well. Other aspects of beach safety there are informed by the risk assessment and we believe it is for them to ensure the necessary resource is available to implement the identified risk control measures.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation New lifeguard units can be established only with express permission from the relevant authority, owner or operator.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RNLI’s lifeguard service was first trialled in 2001. This trial was successful and its wider introduction started in 2002. Since then, a progressive rollout plan has been followed and this year 249 lifeguard units were operational around the UK during the summer season. We plan to continue that roll out plan as a part of our strategy to reduce drowning but we can only establish new lifeguard units with the express permission of the relevant local authority, landowner, beach owner or operator. This is a limitation on our ability to provide the service.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation A lifeguard service cannot prevent incidents on UK beaches, although it significantly reduces risk for people swimming between the flags.
Verbatim wording from the response “Action taken - The RNLI recommends that landowners are responsible of implementing a range of appropriate control measures at beaches. If lifeguards are present as a part of these control measures, the areas outside of the lifeguarded area must be given due consideration too. It is very important to recognise that a lifeguard service cannot be a preventative measure on UK beaches.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Annual and short-term weather fluctuations have greater influence on beach safety than climate-change effects.
Verbatim wording from the response “The evidence would suggest that annual fluctuations in weather and daily/weekly local weather conditions have a greater influence on beach safety than changes in climate change.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Local authorities, landowners and beach owners or operators decide whether to implement advisory risk-assessment recommendations.
Verbatim wording from the response “In order to determine where lifeguard units should be provided and for what season length, the RNLI has developed a beach risk assessment service that is free to local authorities, land owners and beach owners/operators. However, the risk assessment and the outcome recommendations are purely advisory. It is for the local authority, land owner or beach owner/operator to then decide whether to implement the recommendations. There is no legal” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Formal governance of beach-safety risk management cannot be examined on behalf of the nation.
Verbatim wording from the response “Action taken - The RNLI is not in a position to examine the formal governance of beach safety risk management on behalf of the nation. We would welcome a review and believe that local authorities, landowners and beach owners/operators should have a more clearly defined obligation for the risk management of their beaches and to act on risk assessment outcomes. This, in our opinion would reduce the likelihood of accidental drowning occurring in the beach environment.” Source location Response from Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Regulatory and enforcement action is outside the organisation’s authority because it has no regulatory or enforcement powers.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is a national charity, currently marking its centenary, with no regulatory or enforcement powers. Our approach, within the existing structures for water safety, is to seek to influence, inform, coordinate activity and advise. A considerable amount of our resources are spent seeking to engage with government departments and local authorities to bring a coherent and focused approach to tackling the burden of drowning.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation A review of coastal and beach water safety advice is contingent on available resources.
Verbatim wording from the response “(iv) RoSPA is currently revising its water safety advice for owners and duty-holders of inland waters. Subject to resources, we will look to review the equivalent advice for coastal and beach environs by the end of 2018.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Studying ethnicity and language as drowning factors is constrained because these characteristics are not routinely recorded at inquests.
Verbatim wording from the response “The extent to which ethnicity and language skills are a factor in drowning has not been quantified in the UK. We are currently exploring the feasibility of studying these factors. However, it is our understanding that information on these are not routinely recorded at Inquest.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Government should clarify national duties, while local authorities and other duty-holders determine and manage local water safety risks.
Verbatim wording from the response “In order to facilitate this learning, we believe action is required nationally by Government, particularly the clarification of duties held primarily by local authorities.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Existing site management and targeted closures can manage significant hazards without blanket restrictions on public access.
Verbatim wording from the response “We are very cautious of approaches that might result in the closure or restriction of access to current public spaces without a publicly available safety case being made.” Source location Response from RoSPA
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Landowners are responsible for assessing and controlling risks, including providing identified lifeguard services, within their jurisdictions.
Verbatim wording from the response “The forum believes that governance and risk management requirements for beach safety are not satisfactory. There should be an increased onus and clarification for local authorities, beach owners and operators (generally referred to as ‘landowners’), to ensure that they have in place a beach safety governance framework and current risk assessment for their area of responsibility and this should be a statutory obligation especially where their beach facilities are advertised as available to the public. The forum would support a review of the governance and risk management arrangements for beach safety in order to answer the question ‘who has responsibility for beach safety and how is that responsibility met?’ The answer should set out the legal and duty of care requirements.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation The Forum lacks legal, regulatory and enforcement powers to impose statutory beach safety governance or risk management requirements.
Verbatim wording from the response “Each year a drowning report is published providing the UK’s definitive record of drowning fatalities and causal analysis. This intelligence and further research commissioned by the Forum informed the development of the UK’s first National Drowning Prevention Strategy published in February 2016 (www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/strategy). With the support of UK Government a strategic target was set to reduce drowning in the UK by 50% by 2026. The Forum does not have any legal, regulatory or enforcement powers vested in it.
In response to your letter of 24 July the NWSF co-ordinating group has the following comments:” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Finance limits the Forum’s ability to update and expand WAID, and it is seeking funding for that development work.
Verbatim wording from the response “Additionally, the forum is intending to update and expand the use of the WAID database in order to produce even more compelling evidence that can be used by various organisations in order to target their resources to prevent drowning. A barrier to progress is finance; the forum is seeking to identify suitable sources of funding for this WAID development work.” Source location Response from National Water Safety Forum
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation MCA officials lack authority to restrict general beach access or prevent swimming.
Verbatim wording from the response “As you suggest in your findings, the MCA does have enforcement powers akin to the Police, but these only extend to matters contained within the Merchant Shipping Act and similar primary legislation and associated regulations. The MCA also has powers as the Receiver of Wreck for managing access to beaches to guard against looting and to protect wreck, salvage, stranded whales and similar wildlife. However, the MCA’s officials have no powers to restrict access to beaches generally nor to prevent swimming.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Landowners, often local authorities, are responsible for assessing coastline and beach risks and determining appropriate safety interventions.
Verbatim wording from the response “There are more than 11,500 miles of coast around the United Kingdom, and the Government is opening coastal paths to support public health, fitness and wellbeing, whilst encouraging people to enjoy this country’s coast and beaches. It is the responsibility of landowners (in many cases the local authority) who have a duty of care to assess the safety risks associated with their coastlines and beaches and to determine whether they need to put in place safety interventions. This may include safety signage and/or, where appropriate, professional lifeguarding services provided by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and other organisations.” Source location Response from Department for Transport
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation A centralised or government-led UK coastline risk-management process would be difficult to achieve; local assessments are considered more appropriate.
Verbatim wording from the response “Regarding the proposal for a more formal risk management process we feel quite strongly that a centralised or government-led approach to the issues of risk management around the extensive and varied coastline of the UK would be difficult to achieve. Our experience prompts us to agree with Professor Ball’s finding that the task of risk assessment is “best performed by those with intimate knowledge of the location”. Nonetheless, we would welcome any clarification that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, especially HM Coastguard, is able to offer regarding support to local authorities in their roles as beach operators.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Restricting beach access at Camber would likely face public resistance, be disproportionate, burden operators and prove unworkable, except in exceptional circumstances.
Verbatim wording from the response “Regarding the point about restricting access to part or all of certain beaches, we would advise that from our experience this would create a deal of public resistance were it to be introduced at Camber. There is an enormous amount of pleasure and wellbeing for people of all ages derived from year round access to the beach and sea in the Rother district. Taking this amenity away from the general public, even for short periods, may in our view be disproportionate, place new burdens on beach operators and in the end probably prove” Source location Response from Rother District Council
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