11-July-2003:
Kinsale Lifeboat Commissioned!!.

      Below we reproduce, with thanks, the entire article printed in the August 2003 edition of the "Kinsale and District Newsletter" on the auspicious occasion of the commissioning of the Kinsale Lifeboat...

      At 2000hrs on Friday 11 July 2003 the volunteers of Kinsale RNLI reached a monumental moment in their and Kinsale's development. Having undergone a period of intensive training and learning for several months the Atlantic 75 Class inshore lifeboat was declared officially to the Irish Coast Guard as an operational resource.

      Earlier in the day an intensive exercise had been initiated in the time honored way with the sound of two maroon rockets. The purpose was to test the response of the temporary station and crew at the busiest time of the day. Given the temporary trials and evaluation set-up of a station a time of 9 minutes from telephone call from Cork Coast Guard Radio to Launching Authority Mr. David Tucker to the lifeboat heading seawards was most impressive. Owen Medland, Deputy Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats commented 'this is a most commendable launch time on a sunny day in Kinsale and highlights the reasons why it so important this facility is located centrally to enable our volunteers to respond 24-7 with timings that will save lives."

      The lifeboat proceeded to sea towards a simulated real scenario. The boat itself, capable of 32knots and manned by a helm and 2 crew, is capable of operating in up to force 8 conditions while carrying an array of navigational and search and rescue aids such as GPS plotter, night vision and medical oxygen but, most importantly, it carries a trained crew who volunteer to deal with whatever situation they may be faced with.

      The RNLI currently operates 41 stations around the coastline of Ireland with Kinsale becoming the 42nd and together with the co-ordination of the Irish Coast Guard, rescue hundreds of people from peril in Irish waters. Following an evaluation year it is hoped Kinsale will become an established integral part of this service.

      Mr. Medland summarised after the exercise - "Kinsale's boat, formerly Lifeboats B-705, has now been allocated the callsign Kinsale Lifeboat and declared an operational resource. Our fundraisers, volunteer crew and officials can be immensely proud to have reached this stage in their development and it is my hope that all the good people of Kinsale, a town steeped in maritime heritage, shall support and be proud of the fact that Kinsale now has a lifeboat. In conjunction with flank RNLI stations at Crosshaven and Courtmacsherry, and a new Coast Guard facility at Oysterhaven, the ability to save lives on this busy stretch of coastline is greatly enhanced by Kinsale's presence."

      The RNLI is supported entirely by charitable donations.

      The volunteers and crew of the Kinsale Lifeboat are: Capt. Phil Devitt - Hon. Sec., David Tucker - DLA/Chair, Billy Lynch - DLA, Giles Battcock - DLA, Dr. Tony Foley - HMA, Ewan Tubridy - Hon. Treas. while at the helm are Simon Beecher, Brian Donovan, Mark Lewis, Malcolm McCormick, Liam O'Connell, Albert O'Neill. The crew consist of Jennifer Conroy, Annette Coughlan, Trevor Draper, Donal Hayes, Brian Keane, Arthur Long, Carroll O'Donoghue, Liam Roberts, Nicky Searls, Stephen Ward, Kat White. Shore helpers are John O'Gorman, Joanne Beeched and Kevin Gould while the mechanics are Billy O'Brien - boat and Derry Desmond - ashore.