REVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES, FOLLOWING THE CORONER'S LETTER FROM THE CAMBER SANDS INQUEST RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE ORGANISATION OF SAFETY ON THE BEACHES IN THE UK

Background

Drowning and water-related suicide in the UK accounts for, on average, 600 deaths annually. Of these cases, accidental drowning deaths number, on average, 400 per year - approximately one fatal drowning every 22 hours.

In the summer of 2016, seven men drowned in the sea at Camber Sands, this was followed by an inquest in June 2017 when the Coroner recommended that a review of responsibilities pertaining to beach safety in the current system should be carried out. The MCA in their response to the Coroner have committed to commissioning an independent review to gain an understanding of the national situation.

The current statutory framework is a national system that is well equipped to address drowning emergencies, after the incident, through the UK Search and Rescue responsibilities, but one that is comparably less effective at identifying and preventing the causes.

There is ambiguity in terms of who has responsibility for managing water safety risks. The current prevention arrangements, particularly at a local level, are at best difficult to understand and interpret. This lack of clarity can inhibit possible duty holders from taking action to reduce risk.

General Requirement

The contractor is invited to conduct a review and provide a report that incorporates the output requirement as detailed below.

Scope

1. Review existing applicable law: not limited to Health and Safety at Work Act, Occupiers Liability Acts 1984/1955 and Civil Contingencies Act.

2. Explore statutory options equivalent to those offered by 'The Road Traffic Act 1988'. And explore the duty upon local authorities to assess and develop measures to address water safety harm.

3. Carry out a survey to capture UK stakeholder's comments and views.

4. Undertake comparisons and identify good practice with other leading nations not limited to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany and Ireland, along with similar injury risk themes such as road traffic or fire risks. Considerations to include, cost, resources, political and environmental factors.

5. Identify thematic good practice not limited to Road safety, Fire in the home, Workplace Safety and Public Health.

6. Carry out sample visits to locations in the UK where the impacts of good practice can be seen.

7. Analyse key organisation's roles and identify gaps in responsibilities.

As a result of this review and subsequent report the MCA working with the National Water Safety Forum will decide what future actions will be progressed.