Farrans has partnered with Foyle Search and Rescue to deliver a practical water‑rescue training session for its Craigavon Bridge project team in L’Derry, delivered on site for Northern Ireland Water. The initiative focused on strengthening risk management and emergency response capability during over‑water activities, reflecting the industry's emphasis on workforce safety and programme assurance for complex bridge and marine‑adjacent works.

The session was scheduled to align with current operations involving a barge and suspended scaffolding over the River Foyle, reinforcing preventative measures and site controls. Content covered the correct fitting and inspection of lifejackets, including secondary checks; the safe deployment of life rings; maintaining clear work areas to remove trip hazards; clear communication protocols and confirming precise locations in an emergency; guidance on self-preservation if a person enters the water (remain calm, float on the back and conserve energy); and immediate first aid, including actions to prevent hypothermia.

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A live rescue drill formed part of the training. A dummy was released from Craigavon Bridge to simulate an incident, the Project Emergency Coordinator raised the alarm with three short blasts of the air horn, and a designated spotter stayed at the point of entry to direct the response. Foyle Search and Rescue were contacted via two‑way radio, given location coordinates, and a life ring was deployed close to the casualty.

For the construction sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland, the collaboration underscores the value of engaging local specialist responders to enhance site readiness, reduce incident risk and protect delivery schedules on water‑adjacent infrastructure. With Farrans as contractor and Northern Ireland Water involved on the client side, the exercise supports safe, compliant delivery and community well‑being in the North West, demonstrating good practice that is directly applicable to bridge refurbishment, utilities interfaces and other over‑water works.