Speaking after the Scottish Parliament’s debate on the Tomkins review of Scotland’s water safety capabilities, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll and Bute Alan Reid said:

“Following the tragic accident at Loch Awe last April, it is vital that the Scottish Government improves Scotland’s inland water rescue capabilities.

“First and foremost public education on water safety is important.  People need to know the dangers around lochs, rivers and canals.

The proposed national register of freshwater assets is badly needed. The Loch Awe tragedy showed the importance of this when the Strathclyde emergency services called on the Fire Brigade’s rescue craft at Renfrew and were unaware of the much closer Glencoe Mountain Rescue craft because it was across the border in Highland.

 “The Scottish Government must take the Tompkin’s report forward and coordinate all the agencies, including the voluntary and private sector organisations which make such a valuable contribution.

“This kind of confusion that happened the night of the Loch Awe tragedy cannot be allowed to happen again.”