Missing ringbuoys in Waterford City: 'You could be stealing someone's last chance'
An empty ringbuoy box. Credit: Waterford Marine Search and Rescue
Waterford Marine Search and Rescue is asking people not to tamper with ring buoys.
The group said in a post on social media that they have been replacing the ringbuoys over the past few weeks.
They shared a series of pictures, which showed missing or mis-deployed ringbouys around the city, and both sides of the river, including on the Quay, People’s Park and Rice Bridge.
“Over the past few weeks, Allie and our WMSAR volunteers have been flat out replacing stolen ringbuoys across Waterford.
“If someone slips or falls into the water and a ring buoy isn’t there, their chance of survival drops dramatically.
“Please, think twice before you tamper with a ringbuoy; you could be stealing someone's last chance,” wrote WMSR.
WMSR says ringbuoys keep a person afloat until help arrives, allows bystanders to help without putting themselves at risk, and they can be the “difference between rescue and tragedy.”
They are also asking the public if they see a missing ringbuoys to report it here.
