Water Safety Experts Gather in Wellington

Water Safety Experts Gather in Wellington

On Thursday and Friday this week [26- 27 November 2009], Water Safety New Zealand is hosting its first international conference ‘Charting the Future’. The two-day event provides an opportunity for those working in, or affected by, the water safety industry to assess its current position and discuss the sector’s goals for the future.

Delegates are industry leaders and come from organisations such as Maritime New Zealand, Search and Rescue, the New Zealand Police and the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard.

Water Safety New Zealand General Manager Matt Claridge says the conference will be very interactive and includes a workshop on the New Zealand Water Safety Framework, where all delegates will be asked to contribute ideas and feedback.

“We also have an incredible array of international experts presenting,” says Mr Claridge. “Of particular note is Prof Michael Tipton, a world renowned expert in rescues at sea and cold water immersion.

“We are also lucky enough to have Dr Simon Mitchell presenting – who is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading speakers on the physiology of underwater diving,” he says. “And we will hear from Justin Scarr from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia who has been involved in some fascinating child drowning prevention work in third world countries.”

The conference has attracted a broad range of delegates from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Japan.

“The Japanese are very keen to replicate the New Zealand Water Safety model and we are signing a memorandum of understanding with them on Tuesday to formalise our support for this venture,” says Mr Claridge.

“There is strong interest and a sense of collaboration amongst delegates, which the conference will harness to ensure we are all focused on the same end goal – that of preventing injury and drowning in New Zealand,” he says.

As part of the conference, the inaugural New Zealand Water Safety Awards will be presented on Thursday night at an RFD Gala Dinner at Te Papa. The awards have been introduced to promote excellence within the industry and to recognise those who are making an outstanding contribution to water safety prevention, education and awareness.

For more information about the conference, delegates and speakers visit www.watersafety2009.org.nz.

ENDS

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