|
|
Busy 2009 for RNLI lifeboat
29.01.10
by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent
LOUGH Swilly Lifeboat station had 23 launches last
year and rescued 23 people, latest RNLI figures
show. That is down on 2008 when the crew launched on
32 occasions.
“Most of the calls we had would have been for boats
breaking down,” said local RNLI spokesman Joe Joyce.
“The biggest rescue we had last year was when we had
to rescue two men and a child at Portsalon. They
were visitors to the area and they hired two kayaks.
Both capsized, one of them drifted to shore but on
the other one the man with the child had the child
on his chest when we got to them. That would have
been the most rewarding call we had last year.”
RNLI personnel also played their part in a rescue
operation in March when six fishermen were airlifted
from the ‘Niamh Aine’, an 18m crab fishing boat that
ran aground near Leenan. |
 |
When asked what the
RNLI have planned for next year Joe added: “We have
a sea safety team who go into the schools and help
educate pupils. We run a campaign called ‘train one,
save many’ where we go into schools and show them
the gear and how it works. We also show them a DVD
and warn them about the dangers that can occur when
at water. It can last from anywhere between an hour
and three hours. |
It’s a good programme.
"We do quite well from the raft races right around
the peninsula. It’s our main source of income,” said
Mr Joyce in relation to funding. “There’s a huge
amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, its
all voluntary. This year we’ll be looking to further
training for our volunteers.”
Dún Laoghaire in Dublin was the busiest lifeboat
station in the country with the crew launching 68
times and rescuing 92 people last year. In total
there were 976 launches and 1,008 people rescued by
the 43 lifeboat stations in the country. In 2009
there were 78 call outs in Donegal with 69 people
rescued. Nationwide, there was an increase of 13% in
the number of launches carried out compared to 2008
although the number of launches in Donegal actually
dropped.
Of Donegal’s other stations, Bundoran had 11
launches with 14 rescues while Arranmore had 44
callouts and 32 people rescued. This was the fifth
most used station in the country.
The statistics released by the charity coincide with
their annual fundraiser SOS day on Friday, January
29. Funds raised will help the RNLI provide its
volunteer lifeboat crews with the training and
equipment they need to save lives at sea and
selected inland waters. The charity has set a target
of €100,000 and is particularly asking people to
“Hunt for the Punt” by searching out and donating
their old Irish money. For information on RNLI SOS
Day log on to
www.rnli.ie/sos or call 1800 789 589, or email
lifeboatireland@rnli.org.uk |
|
