River ‘booze cruise’ blasted
PLAN FOR DRINKS AND DINGHIES ON TYNE CONDEMNED
POLICE and safety groups have condemned a plan for a River Tyne booze cruise which has been promoted on Facebook.
More than 6,000 people have liked a planned event which would involve more than 1,000 people taking to the River Tyne in inflatable dinghies for a party.
Revellers plan to neck booze and “float” down three and a half-miles of the River Tyne from Newburn to the Quayside.
The plans have been slammed and the organiser’s understanding of the river questioned by emergency services.
Peter Lilley, from the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, said: “This is a very ill-thought through idea. For a start it would take some rowing to get three and a half miles down the Tyne – it’s not a calm river and it’s always busy.”
He added: “Undoubtedly, there would be a risk that someone would drown if an event like this was to go ahead.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service also condemned the idea, and pointed out rubber dinghies would make a poor choice of vessel to navigate the river in. David Leach, district manager with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Rubber dinghies on open water and alcohol are a dangerous mix, and there’s a real potential for someone to be injured or even drown.”
Organisers said they were inspired by a similar event in Finland and shared a video of Finnish revellers taking part in the event on a stretch of river, which looks considerably calmer and smaller than the Tyne.
Posting on the Facebook page they said: “This is a tradition in Finland called Kaljakellunta, this means ‘beer float’ and, after experiencing this myself, I thought this is what England needs – a bit of fun.”
However, a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said the Tyne was far from suitable and pointed out the subdued stream used to promote the event was a far cry from the torrents of the Tyne.
A spokesperson said: “The current is strong, there is a lot of debris and a number of vessels use the waterway every single day. A rubber dinghy is not an appropriate vessel to be used on this river and if people were to fall overboard then they could find themselves in real danger.”
“We understand people want to enjoy the summer and have fun but we have a duty to ensure the safety of the public and put appropriate measures in place.”
Newcastle City Council joined the chorus and said organisers have not asked for permission for the proposed event. A spokesperson said: “This is the first we have been made aware of this proposed event and it is not something we would endorse. The nature of the River Tyne, with its fast flowing and tidal waters, makes something like this incredibly irresponsible”