IN LIGHT of the shocking statistic that an average of 45 people drown in Wales every year, the Welsh Government has pledged its support to a vision of Wales without drowning.

A funding package is being delivered to Water Safety Wales – a collaboration of organisations with an interest in water safety and drowning prevention.

Welsh Government support to ensure the effective delivery of Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026 comes in light of statistics revealing the drowning rate in Wales is roughly double that of the UK as a whole. In addition:

• 48 people lost their lives in water related fatalities in 2022.  
• 1,755 water related incidents in Wales required an emergency response each year, equating to around five every day (WDPS 2020-2026).
• Figures collated by Swim Wales show only 41 per cent of children in Years 3-6 in Wales can swim.

The Welsh Government is committed to promoting the safe participation in water activities and today’s announcement will support the strategy’s aims to enable the safe enjoyments of of Wales’ coast and inland waters. An event will take place at the Pier Head to celebrate the strengthened link between Water Safety Wales and the Welsh Government, with key note speakers.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs will address the event on Wednesday. He says: “I am grateful to all of those working to improve water safety awareness and help reduce the number of water-related incidents and fatalities in Wales.

“Through the achievement and recognition of the Mark Allen’s Law petition, we are not just commemorating a life lost but taking positive steps to protecting others.

“The Senedd Petition Committee’s recommendations are comprehensive and we are committed to addressing the challenges that contribute to water related incidents in Wales.

“Through our collaborative work with partners, we will continue to identify and address hazards, foster a culture of water safety from an early age and keep our waters as safe as possible.”

Chris Cousens, Water Safety Wales chair says: ‘Wales’ seas and inland open waters – enjoyed by millions each year – are the best anywhere in the world and we want to help people enjoy them safely. We are  delighted to have the support of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and his teams in reducing drowning in Wales. The financial support provided will allow a step change in our efforts to effectively deliver Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026. We hope it is a first step toward a long and close relationship working on drowning prevention in Wales in the years to come.’

The strategy promotes a consistent and common approach to water safety, drowning prevention and water safety education and awareness. It aims to work in a collaborative multi-agency approach to identify and target harden areas of risk and develop and implement Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-26.

Amount the aims are promoting public awareness of water-related risks and the safe participation in water activities across Wales, developing learning to swim and water safety education.

The group also works closely with families affected by water-related incidents and welcoming the proposal is Leanne Bartley from Ruthin, mum of Mark Allen who sadly died in an incident at a reservoir in 2018. Leeanne’s petition was a catalyst for change and she will be speaking of her experiences at the event.

Leanne says: ‘To lose a loved one to drowning is truly devastating; the impact on families left behind is shattering. Nothing I do will bring back Mark, but what I can do is help ensure other families don’t have to suffer in the way we have. The sad thing is the majority of drowning incidents are preventable, which is why I’m committed to working alongside Water Safety Wales to highlight the risk and work towards the vision of a Wales without drowning. To have this support from Welsh Government is a massive step forward, we are incredibly grateful for this support.’