Emily’s Code, which honors the memory of Emily Gardner, was officially launched on Saturday 4th March 2017 at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show in London.

The Code, debated in Westminster Hall earlier this week, aims to prevent accidents at sea by highlighting key safety messages.

Emily Gardner was 14 when she drowned in a boating accident due to an ill-fitting buoyancy aid which snagged on a cleat when the boat capsized.

Emily’s Code highlights a number of factors that are essential for safe boating and which could have prevented Emily’s accident.

Her parents have launched the Code with the support of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), HM Coastguard, British Water Ski and Wakeboard, and the RNLI to raise awareness for small boat owners and users.

Emily’s parents, Clive and Debbie Gardner, said: “Many parents like us have no awareness of recreational boating safety guidelines and have never used a boat before.

When Emily went on a day trip with her friends we were reassured that safety was paramount and that the equipment was top notch.

Gardner Family

“If just one family sees this and takes action to protect their children on the water then Emily’s Code will have succeeded and Emily’s name will live on.

Something as easy as checking that your lifejacket or buoyancy aid fits properly can save your life. So be smart and follow Emily’s Code.”

Emily’s Code is based on 10 key safety messages for boaters:

WEAR A SUITABLE LIFEJACKET OR BUOYANCY AID
 SERVICE EQUIPMENT
 GET TRAINED
 MAKE A PLAN
 KNOW YOUR LIMITS
 CARRY DISTRESS SIGNALS

 USE THE KILL CORD
 KNOW YOUR BOAT
 HAVE A RADIO
 CHECK THE WEATHER

Richard Graham MP

Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, helped to launch the code on the Suzuki main stage of the RYA’s national dinghy show at Alexandra Palace, London.

He said: “The death of my constituent Emily Gardner is a tragedy from which her parents are determined to create something positive. E

mily’s Code can improve safety awareness and prevent accidents at sea – a vital message. If you’re going on a boat at sea this summer please stop and think about Emily’s Code first.”

Emily Gardner

RYA Director of Training and Qualifications, Richard Falk, added: “We have been working to spread safety messages for many years, including making sure that you have a radio to call for help, which people can easily forget. Emily’s story and now her Code will help people to understand that forgetting key safety points can have serious consequences.”

Sarah Wollaston, the MP for Brixham Harbour where the incident took place, said: “Debbie and Clive have shown great courage in their campaign to prevent other families suffering from their own terrible loss and I hope Emily’s Code will help others to think twice about the dangers and to improve safety at sea.”