New station house and workshop for completion before year end
Galway, Friday, 5 April 2002
Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister of the Marine and Natural Resources today handed over a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) to the Costelloe Bay Irish Coast Guard Unit at their Stationhouse in Ros-a-Mhíl, Co. na Gaillimhe.
Minister Fahey said, “My Department is very committed to developing a culture of maritime safety around the coast of Ireland. Unfortunately accidents will still happen at sea and we must be prepared at all times to respond. Our people putting to sea must have the best equipment, training and support services. The delivery of this Sea Rider RIB to the Costelloe Bay Unit and the recent acquisition of a 4x4 Landrover underlines my commitment to providing the necessary tools for the Coast Guard to carry out their vitally important work.”
The Minister added “The Unit will also be accommodated in a new station house and workshop as part of the construction of a new €640,000 harbour utility building by my Department at Ros-a-Mhíl. This new building is planned for completion later this year.”
There are 52 Coastal Response Units of the Irish Coast Guard available for 24 hour callout around the coast. All of them are volunteers. The Costelloe Bay Unit are backed up by the fulltime staff of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard helicopters and other groups around the coast such as the RNLI lifeboats and the Community Inshore Rescue Service boats, Local Authority Lifeguards, An Garda Siochana, Civil Defence, Ambulance and Fire Services and members of local communities.
The Minister praised the recent work of the Unit when they distinguished themselves in the search for the 12 Spanish fishermen lost when the Arosa struck rocks and foundered not very far from Ros-a-Mhíl. The work of the Coast Guard and the community during the search and in helping the distressed relatives afterwards was recognised by all, including the Spanish Government who presented the Coast Guard with a medal at a ceremony in the Spanish Embassy in Dublin.
Paying tribute to the local Unit, Minister Fahey concluded, “They are prepared to leave their homes and workplaces at a moments notice and respond to a call for help from those in trouble at sea. We are indeed fortunate as a nation to receive have a high level of commitment from volunteer members of the rescue services in maritime communities. Their selflessness and bravery knows no bounds and the sacrifices they continually make should serve as an example to others.”
ENDS.
For further information, please contact:
Tony Bass
Media & Communications Manager
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9471
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161
Or
Tom Mc Loughlin
Press Officer
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9662
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161