A new access ramp has been made available for Maryport Rescue as part of the improvements to Maryport Activity Centre and the areas around it.
The life-saving team needed an easier way into the River Ellen during certain tidal conditions, so a gate has been installed by Cumberland Council to enable them to get into the water in case of emergencies.
The access ramp sits at the side of Maryport Activity Centre, close to the harbourside, so is perfectly placed for water rescues. It had been fenced off at some point in the past but has now been opened up by the Council’s contractors, Thomas Armstrong Construction.
The improvements to Maryport Activity Centre are part of the £12 million UK Government funded regeneration of the town.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“We are really pleased to be able to factor this water access into our work on the harbourside. Maryport Rescue does an amazing job and anything that makes their response to an emergency call quicker and easier can only be a good thing. Thank you to all their volunteers for giving up their time to keep the public safe.”
Gary Hampson of Maryport Rescue added: “Our team of volunteers operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding to callouts at sea, and in flood and flowing water, and also lost and missing person searches. We cover the lakes and inshore waterways too. Our aim is always to be as fast and efficient as possible and access to this ramp makes it quicker and easier to respond in certain conditions - hopefully saving more lives.
“Thank you to Cumberland Council and their contractors for considering us as part of the regeneration projects in Maryport. Team work at its best.”
That easy access to the water could prove vital in periods of hot and sunny weather when more people head to the coast. Everyone is urged to take extra care around water so that, hopefully, the services of the rescue services won’t be required.
The RNLI has some tips for water safety:
Sea swimming is different to the pool - do the conditions exceed your ability?
Acclimatise to the water temperature
Make sure someone is watching from the shore
On shore, keep away from the edge and beware of uneven and slippery ground
Check the tides so you don’t get cut off
If there is an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.