A mother who lost her 17-year-old son to a rip current in Bournemouth is calling for the appointment of a dedicated water safety minister, highlighting the urgent need for improved drowning prevention measures. Vanessa Abbess’s son, Joe, a trainee chef known among his friends for his responsible nature, died nearly three years ago in May after being caught by a sudden and powerful rip current during a half-term beach outing.

Joe, described as a strong swimmer, was waist-deep in the water within the designated safe swimming area when the current unexpectedly dragged him away from shore. Despite being close to the lifeguard station, Joe and several friends were pulled in different directions by the rip current. Some managed to swim back safely, and one friend, a pool lifeguard, struggled but ultimately stayed afloat. Joe’s last known movements were toward the shore, but he disappeared from sight for over half an hour before being found face down by an RNLI jetski crew.

Emergency responders took Joe to the beach unconscious, where he suffered cardiac arrest. He was transported to Bournemouth Hospital and pronounced dead, with it later revealed that he had died on the sand. The incident occurred on the same day that a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire, Sunnah Khan, also drowned, while eight others required rescue.

Vanessa Abbess remembers Joe’s final moments before he left home that day, cherishing a rare hug and his last words: “Bye mum, see you later, love you lots.” Reflecting on the tragedy, she describes the rip current as “sudden and ferocious,” emphasizing the unpredictable nature of such hazards even in flagged safe zones.

Abbess, supporting a campaign to enhance water safety awareness and prevention, argues that drowning should be recognized as a public health emergency. She urges government action to improve water safety education, protocols, and resources. “We need a water safety minister,” she said, stressing the need for a coordinated national response. “There needs to be discussion about water safety as a whole.”

Though still grappling with the emotional toll, Abbess is determined to raise awareness to prevent future losses. She believes Joe, remembered as a caring and responsible young man, would have wanted his story to help protect others. “If Joe had come out the other side he would have been saying, ‘we need to tell people about this, Mum.’”