Richmond councillors have asked for a review of the city’s water safety signage after concerns were raised about the risks of the Fraser River and whether enough was being done to keep people safe.
The referral motion, passed at council’s parks, recreation and public services committee meeting earlier this week, tasks city staff with reviewing water safety signage around Richmond, particularly areas where people are more likely to try to go swimming or do other water activities, such as Garry Point Park.
Earlier this month, the Richmond News reported how Hugh Boyd Secondary teacher Michael Taylor called for more signage around Richmond’s shores and for the Ministry of Education to add water safety education to the high school physical education curriculum.
Last summer, 24-year-old UBC athlete and Hugh Boyd Secondary alumnus Kory Nagata lost his life while attempting to retrieve a football that had fallen into the water near the Pacific Gateway Hotel.
According to data from the BC Coroners Service, over 660 people fatally drowned in B.C. waterways between 2008 and 2016 – many during the summer months.
During that period, 19 to 29-year-olds made up the largest proportion of the accidental drowning deaths, followed by 50 to 59-year-olds.
The data also states that 32 people lost their lives in the Fraser River between 2008 and 2016 – more than any other river or creek in B.C.
The city currently has water safety signage in high-traffic areas, such as Garry Point and Imperial and London Landings – but this may not be effective.
“I saw people with young children out in the water (at Garry Point) on the weekend, also down by the pillars,” said Coun. Bill McNulty. “I think it’s something we as a council need to look at just to make sure the appropriate signage is there for people. People are not going to read the signs that are there.”
He suggested that signage should be simplified as the current ones have too much wording.
Todd Gross, the city’s director of parks, acknowledged that the current signage is “word-orientated” and has been in place for a while.
“I think, given the diversity in our community, if we can use icons or images to perhaps reflect no swimming, and what is required or what’s not allowed, that may be helpful,” he said.
Coun. Michael Wolfe asked if the city would look into areas such as the middle arm of the Fraser and Triangle Beach.
While these locations are somewhat “unmanaged and un-maintained,” city staff said they would also look at these areas.
Meanwhile, Coun. Andy Hobbs pointed out that while signs can be helpful, the city should also focus on education and enforcement, which should be done every year and in co-ordination with the school board, swim clubs and coast guard, for example.
