The Port of Sunderland’s water patrol service is once again urging members of the public to stay safe and become fully aware of the dangers of water following a weekend incident when safety officers and vessels were deployed, saving a life.
Patrol officers have begun monitoring the harbour, Roker and River Wear again this month, actively patrolling stretches of the river and coastal areas at increased and very regular intervals every weekend, during school holidays and over bank holiday weekends to maintain the highest possible safety standards during busy periods.
As well as providing advice and guidance, the patrol boats also saved a life at the weekend following an incident on the Wearmouth Bridge. With surging numbers of people now using the river and sea waters for leisure activities such as surfing, paddle boarding, open water swimming, pleasure boat trips and other rafting pursuits, the safety crews are once again urging members of the public to stay safe.
Matthew Hunt, Director at Port of Sunderland, explained, “Our patrol boats are out and seen regularly on the water, but we are increasing the frequency even further during busy periods given the rising number of people using the water.
“We take their safety extremely seriously, so officers will be visible and on hand to offer professional guidance and support to those who may be in or entering prohibited areas, not adhering to Port byelaws, or putting themselves and others in potential danger.
“Incidents of a serious nature are uncommon, but one is too many, and whilst we may have seen a positive outcome at the weekend, we once again urge members of the public to learn the dangers of the water, and to stay safe.”
The patrol boats comprise two inflatable patrol vessels; ‘Sentinel’ and ‘Patrol’, both of which will be deployed from 10am-6pm during high-activity periods until the start of September. Either one will cover stretches of the Wear upriver from South Biddick down to the Wearmouth Bridge, and out to the harbour and twin piers.
Port of Sunderland is one of the few northern ports to proactively deploy patrol vessels as a preventative safety measure. It’s hoped that their presence will also help protect and boost the wildlife that is attracted to the area, in particular, pods of dolphins which draw large numbers of watchers often out at sea on paddleboards and small boats.
