Coroner hits out at ‘appalling’ theft of harbourside lifebelts

By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 11:21, Thursday, 02 August 2012

A CORONER has slammed the “appalling’’ theft of lifebelts from Whitehaven’s harbour after a woman killed herself jumping into the sea.

David Roberts was speaking at the inquest of Sheena Norman who drowned off West Pier on January 23. Witnesses had tried to save Mrs Norman by throwing her a lifebelt.

The inquest heard in the six months since her death 10 lifebelts had been stolen from across the harbour.

Mr Roberts said the appalling thefts were a “real problem’’ and those who took them were “stupid and putting other people’s lives at risk’’.

The inquest heard that, while the lifebelts were accessible to the public in emergencies, it also meant they were easily stolen.

Celia MacKenzie, chief executive of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, told the inquest that the harbour staff patrol the area “seven days a week, 365 days a year’’ and were constantly checking for missing lifebelts. As well as replacing lifebelts, the staff had also had to retrieve those thrown into the harbour.

Following Mrs Norman’s death, a sign was erected at the West Pier indicating the direction of the nearest lifebelt.

Ms MacKenzie, speaking after the inquest, said: “The harbour staff who patrol are very observant, they know what lifebelt is missing and check regularly. However, there are a mindless few people who are jeopardising the health and safety of others by taking the lifebelts. This is an issue across the country.’’

Concerns were also raised at the inquest that a roped lifebelt might have been more accurate to land in the sea beside Mrs Norman. However, Ms MacKenzie said that lifebelts without ropes at Whitehaven were “appropriate for that type of harbour’’.

On an internal harbour ropes could get snagged, the water is “fairly calm’’ and there isn’t enough depth to be effective.

Commenting on the concerns, Mr Roberts said roped lifebelts in the harbour “would cause more problems than it would solve.’’

First published at 11:05, Thursday, 02 August 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk