As part of the RNLI’s Float to Live campaign roadshow, Plymouth has been chosen as one of the key venues across the country to display this important water safety message from today (Friday 15th) to Tuesday 19th August.
The RNLI has a corporate partnership with Scania, who are best known for their global network of trucks and transport solutions. Scania are showing their commitment to helping the RNLI promote water safety this summer by wrapping one of their trailers in the RNLI’s Float to Live campaign advert and driving it around the UK this August. The trailer is acting as a mobile, high impact billboard to help share the lifesaving #FloatToLive message in multiple locations across the UK.
The mobile billboard is in a prominent position on the Plymouth waterfront overlooking Tinside Cove – with thanks to Plymouth City Council for making the space available to display such an important message.
Cameron Hicks, Marine Operations Manager, Cattewater Harbour and Deputy Coxswain for Plymouth’s RNLI Lifeboat Station said:
“I’m really pleased that Plymouth has been included on the RNLI’s Float to Live roadshow campaign, which in partnership with Scania, enables more and more people to see, and learn about, this hugely important water safety message, Float to Live. The advice applies to anyone who may get in trouble in the water – it can’t be seen or shared enough.”
There are five steps to the Float to Live message:
1. Tilt your head back submerging your ears
2. Relax and control your breathing
3. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
4. Your legs may sink – that’s OK, everyone floats differently
5. Practise floating at a supervised location
The RNLI have also teamed up with Swim England for the nationwide SwimSafe programme, and free sessions are being held at Tinside Lido throughout August delivered by Plymouth Active Leisure and Plymouth Sound National Marine Park – the Float to Live message is practised within these sessions. The sessions are free for all young people aged 11 – 18 years. To find out more and to book please visit https://swimsafe.org.uk/locations/plymouth-tinside-lido
Recently, the Plymouth Harbour Authorities Liaison Committee issued a statement with regards anti-social and potentially dangerous behaviours around the waterfront including swimming in prohibited areas and jumping/tombstoning.
Cameron adds:
“We’re in the peak of the summer season and welcoming more people to the waterfront. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the water – whether that’s swimming in designated areas or afloat in a motorised or non-motorised (including paddleboards and kayaks) craft – but we need them to be safe and responsible too.”
Plymouth’s RNLI Lifeboat Station team are hosting an Open Day on Sunday 17th August at Royal William Yard where visitors can find out more about the vital role of the RNLI, meet the crew (many volunteers) and wider team, and step aboard and discover more about all-weather lifeboat ‘Sybil Mullen Glover’ and inshore lifeboat ‘Annabel E Jones’.
