The Lake District National Park Authority’s Lake Ranger team is geared up for another successful season, keeping people safe on and in the water and will be at this weekend’s Windermere Boat Show to offer advice and guidance.
Last year over 4,400 motorboats were registered on Windermere and around 1.6 million passengers were recorded on Windermere Lake Cruises. Add this to the commuters who regularly use the car ferry and the numerous activities people take part in on the water, it’s easy to see how crucial the work of the Lake Rangers is to keeping people safe.
Lake District National Park Lake Ranger, Jack Holmes said: “Our advice is for people to come and enjoy the water, after all it’s what our National Park is best known for. Have fun with whatever activity you’re doing, but please be considerate to other users’ needs and always think ‘safety first’.
“If you’re using a boat, please make sure it’s registered, display your number properly and observe the speed limits at all times.
“If you are swimming or taking part in other water activities then always tell someone where you are going, what time you’ll be back and be mindful of your own capabilities.”
Last year the National Park team spoke with over 500 lake users, offering safety advice and already have several life jacket safety clinics planned throughout the summer months to ensure that boat users are prepared.
Confirmed dates for free life jacket clinics so far are Sunday 19 May at Windermere Boat Show and the 10 and 11 August at the Lowther Show, with further dates to be added.
There’s no need to book in advance and these drop in sessions are an ideal opportunity to get the experts to make sure your lifejackets are suitable for your needs.
At the Windermere Boat Show on 17, 18 and 19 May the Lake Rangers will also be offering advice about kill cords, tow floats and safe swimming, carbon monoxide detectors and other general water safety information.
The National Park Lake Rangers, who work alongside South Lakeland District Council’s Lake Warden team on Windermere, are responsible for providing advice to the public, helping keep people safe and importantly monitoring compliance with lake byelaws.
The Lake Rangers from the National Park and the Lake Wardens from South Lakeland District Council support the Coastguard with providing a rescue service for Windermere. Last season the Lake Rangers helped with 16 lake emergencies, one of which was dealing with the Windermere car ferry incident.
More information on the Lake District National Park Rangers can be found at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/water
