Southampton mum who's son drowned at Bournemouth Beach offers powerful life-saving message
17-year-old Joe Abbess got caught in a rip current
Last updated 28th Jul 2025
On World Drowning Prevention Day we're bringing together bereaved families across the UK - including a mum from Southampton to deliver one powerful life-saving message.
Vanessa Abbess's son Joe was just 17 when he drowned on a day out at Bournemouth Beach with friends, after getting caught in a rip current.
Vanessa says the situation can change in an instant.
"You need to float. You can't swim against currents no matter how strong a swimmer you think you are. You can't control the water."
"Joe and his friends were having a nice time in the sea. They were waist high in the water. By the lifeguards in the safer swimming zone and then out of nowhere the waves became very ferocious."
Figures from the Water Incident Database (WAID) show that 26% of all accidental drownings in the past five years (2020–2024 inclusive) involved individuals aged 10–29, making them the most high-risk demographic for accidental drownings, both costal and in-land, nationwide.
The risk is significantly heightened during warm weather, when higher temperatures encourage more people—particularly teenagers and young adults—to socialise or cool off in open water. Analysis from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and Bournemouth University has demonstrated that accidental drownings are three times more likely to occur on days when air temperatures exceed 25°C, compared to the seasonal average.
In response, the NWSF has launched “Find Your Float”, a national initiative to educate the public on the importance of self-rescue through floating. Floating is a proven technique that helps individuals stabilise their breathing and conserve energy in an emergency – but not everyone floats in the same way.
The campaign encourages people to practise this life-saving skill in safe and supervised settings such as lifeguarded beaches or swimming pools.
Vanessa added:
"One of Joe's friends who was right next to him and managed to float and he survived. We will never know if Joe tried to float, but ultimately if you can get on your back and float it will give you a greater chance of survival."