Loch tragedy prompts rethink on lifejackets

A Fatal Accident Inquiry heard yesterday that the proposal, along with speed limits for boats, may be covered by new by-laws being considered for Loch Awe, Argyll.

Other measures being taken, in a bid to stop another tragedy, include a Loch Watch scheme of 80-90 local volunteers and a community-led patrol boat.

Glasgow men Craig Currie, 30; Thomas Douglas, 36; William Carty, 47; and Stephen Carty, 42 died after their boat capsized as they tried to steer it across the loch, in heavy fog, to reach their shore side camp after a night out at the Tight Line pub in March 2009.

Only one of the men was wearing a lifejacket and the inquiry has heard that it wasn't in working order.

And experts have said that without lifejackets the men had virtually no chance of surviving the capsize.

Iain MacKinnon, a senior environmental health officer with Argyll and Bute Council, was tasked by a local authority led community safety forum to meet local people and businesses to identify ways of safeguarding loch users.

Mr MacKinnon, 50, who is also station officer in charge of the Oban Coastguard volunteer team who attended the tragedy, told the inquiry numerous efforts were being made to change things.

"These are by-laws which Argyll and Bute Council would promote for the purpose of regulating the use of the loch and its shores," he said.

"The by-laws are planned to introduce safety measures in the loch, compulsory wearing of lifejackets might be one, speed limits might be another."

He added that the by-laws would take 18 months to two years to introduce because of the legalities.

The inquiry continues on Tuesday.