Lives will be saved on River Clyde thanks to new equipment
Noted article in Glaswegian
18th August 2010
Lives will be saved on River Clyde thanks to new equipment, say experts
A CHARITY which rescues drowning people from the River Clyde has installed a luminous lifebelt stand, ladder and gate at the water's edge to help save lives on the waterway.
The Glasgow Humane Society teamed up with galvanizing firm Highland Colour Coaters to create the glow-in-the-dark safety equipment. A coating called Colourgalv means the equipment can be spotted easily from water level and the river bank and should stay free of corrosion for decades. The prototype, made free of charge by Highland, has been installed outside the Humane Society's headquarters near Glasgow Green.
Chief Officer George Parsonage hopes more will be put up along the Clyde. George, who has personally rescued 1500 people from the water during 53 years at the charity, said: "Although the Humane Society carries out rescues, our main aim is to help prevent accidents and the loss of life in the first place.
” This is why we asked Highland to design the lifebelt stand and why we would like to see it rolled out across the city. "It is vital that when they are needed, people can identify lifebelts.
This can make the difference between a lucky escape and a tragedy.
"Hopefully this will be the first step we take towards safer waterways in our city."
The Glasgow Humane Society was set up in 1790 to save people from drowning in the Clyde and recover the corpses of those who perished in the river.
From the age of 14, George helped his father Benjamin on the waterways in and around the city and today patrols the Clyde every day of the year with the help of volunteers including Tony Coia.
George said: "The recent Scottish Government review on Water Safety has highlighted the need for greater preventative methods to be adopted. We must do everything possible to prevent accidents and tragedy, and that is why our work with Highland Colour Coaters is so crucial in developing solutions."
Highland sales director Paul McCafferty said: "We are privileged to be able to support the crucial work of the Glasgow Humane Society.” Having clearly marked lifebelt stands will help save lives. As soon as we heard there was a problem with poor visibility and corrosion of the stands, it was a case of offering to do whatever we could."
Similar article carried in Clydebank Post