This article is from page 29 of the 2007-08-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
SIX years of hard voluntary work, responding to call-outs in every kind of foul weather at every hour of the night and day, reaped rewards in Kil- laloe last week when the local rescue team officially became operational as Irelands first inland waterways coast guard unit.
The former Killaloe/Ballina Search and Rescue unit became the Killaloe Coast Guard, when Director Des- ignate of the coast guard, Mr Chris Reynolds formally launched — the service on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the IRCG said the decision was taken to set up its first inland waterways unit in Killa- loe due to the level of traffic and risk on Lough Derg which has 17 public
marinas, four ferry companies, two major water leisure activity centres and 3,500 cruiser hires in 2006. In 2004 10,000 boats passed through Portumna bridge and the estimated total carrying capacity on Lough Derg is 6,437 persons.
The new unit continues to be housed in the ESB site in Killaloe.
To prepare the team for going fully operation, the coast guard replaced their original boats with ‘D’ class in- flatable boat with 40 HP engines for use on local rivers and shallow lakes and a new 7.5m rigid inflatable boat with twin 90 HP 4 stroke engines, GPS, radio, chart plotter, self right- ing system and automated identifica- tion system. This craft can do 30 plus knots, operate in all weathers and rescue up to nine people at a time. To
launch these boats the team has also been given a 4×4 jeep fitted with blue lights and sirens.
Training was also given in first aid, pyrotechnics, radio procedures, search training and advanced boat skills. Additional equipment consist- ing of personal protective equipment, generators, lights, radios, medical stock, stretchers and spinal boards have also been issued to the unit to assist them in their search and rescue work.
The area officer of the team is Michael Quigley. Its deputy area Of- ficer 1s Denis Dillon.
Launching the service, Chris Rey- nolds said the former search and res- cue service was “run on a voluntary basis by the local community doing sterling work in raising public aware-
ness of water safety and in respond- ing to those in peril in the waters”’.
He added that as volunteers of the coast guard units “you are only too well aware of the dangers of the wa- ter. You serve your community in a most hazardous environment per- forming tasks that often take their toll on you emotionally and physi- or Nh ae
“IT wish to thank all 19 volun- teer members of the Killaloe team for their dedication and hard work in training and operations led by Michael Quigley, Area Officer, with the assistance of Dennis Dillon, Deputy Area Officer.”