Amadeus Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Isle of Man 'tombstoning' advert under fire An Isle of Man tourism advert has come under fire for appearing to promote a potentially deadly craze known as "tombstoning". IOM Coastguard responds Risk assessment - always important. So is a hi-viz kayak and maybe we should spray paint the rocks signal red as well - just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Ohhhh, it's an advert to encourage tourism? [/cynical mode] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mission Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Tombstoning = Lara Croft? Mmm Lara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemonday Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I suggest the next tranche of adverts feature people wrapped in cotton wool and bubble wrap sitting safely on the prom in a secure taped off area surounded by health and safety officials constantly monitoring the air for pollution and radiation before being driven ( slowly ) in a tank with police escort, to view various parts of the island. They can then be filmed eating something in a sterile room ( with food tasters trying everything first ) before retiring for the night in a secure bomb shelter guarded by Champ and armed police. Possible working title - Welcome to the Isle of Man, it's very safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bendytoy Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 The UK Maritime Coastguard Agency has to be seen to making the right noises (very much as the Harbours division here makes its annual summer statement about swimming in harbours and jumping off piers). And the UK press never misses an opportunity to paint the Isle of Man black. But this still makes me pretty angry. Coasteering is a recognised and popular outdoor sport of which Keirron Tastagh/Adventurous Experiences is a responsible practitioner. Along with stuff like gorge-walking and white water rafting, it's promoted as a tourist activity in Wales, Scotland, Ireland - not to mention places like New Zealand, where the whole new wave of tourism has been built on extreme sports - but only the IOM, it seems, comes under fire. You might as well say that bungee jumping should be banned because it encourages people to jump off cliffs. The Isle of Man - Careful Now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bendytoy Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I tell a lie - it's not just the Isle of Man which has been, in hack-ese, 'blasted' for 'promoting' tombstoning. The makers of Mamma Mia have also felt the wrath of Fred Kaygill of the Maritime Coastguard Agency. What next? Is he going to start trawling through the IMDB for movies containing offending cliff-jumping scenes? The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy will be first in line for a belated drubbing...but then that's no bad thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manshimajin Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 What next? Is he going to start trawling through the IMDB for movies containing offending cliff-jumping scenes? The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy will be first in line for a belated drubbing...but then that's no bad thing. Found this list of the most dangerous sports in the USA (based on emergency room admissions): Basketball: 512,213 Bicycling: 485,669 Football: 418,260 Soccer: 174,686 Baseball: 155,898 Skateboards: 112,544 Trampolines: 108,029 Softball: 106,884 Swimming/Diving: 82,354 Horseback riding: 73,576 Weightlifting: 65,716 Volleyball: 52,091 Golf: 47,360 Roller skating: 35,003 Wrestling: 33,734 This will of course be statistically biased by the popularity of various sports but I think a ban on cycling is called for and the immediate closure of all soccer pitches on the Island to comply with health and safety measures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimcalagon Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 What next? Is he going to start trawling through the IMDB for movies containing offending cliff-jumping scenes? The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy will be first in line for a belated drubbing...but then that's no bad thing. I understand that HMV have taken all copies of "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid" off the shelves, for a start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeddan Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 But this still makes me pretty angry. Coasteering is a recognised and popular outdoor sport of which Keirron Tastagh/Adventurous Experiences is a responsible practitioner. Along with stuff like gorge-walking and white water rafting, it's promoted as a tourist activity in Wales, Scotland, Ireland - not to mention places like New Zealand, where the whole new wave of tourism has been built on extreme sports - but only the IOM, it seems, comes under fire. you could also say that 'free running' is a dangerous sport that ought not to be promoted. Ban all those TV ads showing people jumping dangerously around buildings as well. First though I'd ban the ads for the Army - which is also dangerous and potentially deadly - probably very much more so, and unlike Keirron, they don't seem to have the right equipment. If UK Maritime Coastguard Agency have an issue with these ads they should take it up with the Advertising Standards Authority. These ads passed (that's by no means plain sailing). Rather than be disparaging about Adventurous Experiences, they ought to be using this to promote safety conscious practices and having responsible practitioner - which they could do positively. Extreme sports, gravity chasing, and adrenaline-rush sports are a big growth area and an important part of the tourism sector that shouldn't be overlooked. I think it's great these are being featured in the ad campaign. It would be good if the extreme sports sector was built up and promoted more. Even so, I think given tourism market at the moment, October is a dumb time to be running the TV campaign. What I don't get is how the publicity opportunity of coming under fire for the Tombstoning has been so missed. Perfect chance to respond by promoting IoM for responsible safety-conscious extreme sports with all the excitement and fun. Anyone would think IOMG uses the same PR team Prince Charles uses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcCann Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I'm absolutely shocked by all of this. The DTL has actually had an advert noticed by somebody outside of the Isle of Man People will be taking holidays here next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Ten Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Well what a fantastic organisational reply from the Chief IOM Coastguard!!!! Now forgive me for thinking that if a young scally was caught doing this type of activity then the Chief IOM Coastguard would have made a totally differnt response and made sure it was headline news, but hey the Chief Coastguard surely does not want to upset the ministers/politicians does he!! The below quote is from www.manx.net; Chief Coastguard Colin Finney said: “This activity, like many extreme sports, clearly contains a high level of risk. The gentleman featured in the advert is known to us and is believed to be a qualified and professional ‘extreme sports’ instructor who would presumably have carried out a risk assessment on the area to ensure that there was sufficient depth of water and lack of underwater obstructions to make his jump as safe as possible. He is also pictured using some personal protective equipment. “IOM Coastguard recommends that such activities should be confined to organised events which are led by qualified instructors who have carried out a risk assessment for the areas to be used. It should be noted that it is prohibited by Harbour Byelaws to swim in harbour. Therefore I am a bit confused as to if this activity is permissible or not to the IOM authorities??? Last ten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebrof Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I tell a lie - it's not just the Isle of Man which has been, in hack-ese, 'blasted' for 'promoting' tombstoning. The makers of Mamma Mia have also felt the wrath of Fred Kaygill of the Maritime Coastguard Agency. What next? Is he going to start trawling through the IMDB for movies containing offending cliff-jumping scenes? The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy will be first in line for a belated drubbing...but then that's no bad thing. What is a "Maritime Coastguard Agency" anyway? Sounds rather tautological to me. S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digga Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 What is a "Maritime Coastguard Agency" anyway? Sounds rather tautological to me. S seek and you shall find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Static Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I suggest the next tranche of adverts feature people wrapped in cotton wool and bubble wrap sitting safely on the prom in a secure taped off area surounded by health and safety officials constantly monitoring the air for pollution and radiation before being driven ( slowly ) in a tank with police escort, to view various parts of the island.They can then be filmed eating something in a sterile room ( with food tasters trying everything first ) before retiring for the night in a secure bomb shelter guarded by Champ and armed police. Possible working title - Welcome to the Isle of Man, it's very safe. So long as you don't sit on the wall above the sunken gardens, its a health and safety risk according to the signs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Ayres Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Surely one of the 'attractions' of the island is the lack of H&S fascism, freedom to flourish means, to me, the freedom to take calculated risks in the sure knowledge that I won't get a bollocking from a numpty in a florrie as soon as I step out of my front door. As for jumping off piers, I think the government have that one covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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