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‘Rebel' the water safety mascot is Ardfield's design

June 14th, 2018 9:55 PM

By Siobhan Cronin

Shannon Griffin and Erin Pettit-Mee of Ardfield NS, all at the launch of ‘Rebel' the ringbuoy mascot in Rosscarbery, which their school designed. (Photo: David Keane)

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A West Cork national school's mascot design to improve water safety has been embraced by Cork County Council.

A WEST Cork national school’s mascot design to improve water safety has been embraced by Cork County Council.

The Council recently launched a bid to encourage the public to rebel against the ongoing vandalism of life-saving ringbuoys around the coast. 

The Irish Coast Guard 115 crew was joined by county mayor Declan Hurley and the RNLI to launch ‘Rebel’ – the Cork mascot encouraging everyone to rebel against ringbuoy vandalism.

Initiated by Water and Road Safety development officer, Caroline Casey, Rebel was designed by the children of Ardfield school. 

The launch was also supported by the 2018 Cork County Beach Lifeguard team which started its summer season on June 1st.

The team currently covers 12 beachguard stations across the county, but this year will add two new state-of-the-art stations – one in Youghal and the other at Tragumna near Skibbereen. The Tragumna station has not yet been installed, the Council confirmed this week, but the existing beachguard station is still operating. Speaking at the launch, Cllr Hurley commended the beachguards on their work and highlighted the importance of water safety for everyone. 

Nationally, 123 lives were lost to drowning last year with three fatalities under four years of age. Over the last decade, 30 children have been lost to drowning – one of the primary reasons being a lack of education.

Special ‘Rebel’ collection cards will encourage children to engage in an interactive and fun way and think about the dangers around water. 

The beachguard stations in West Cork are at Tragumna, Barleycove, The Warren, Owenahincha, Inchydoney, Garrylucas, Garretstown and Fountainstown.

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