News
New boat for Killarney Water Rescue
NEW BOAT: At the launch Killarney Water Rescue’s new boat on Saturday were John O’Loughlin, Michael Barry, Jimmy Sweetman, Eadaoin Moynihan, Alice Sweetman, Sinead Sweetman and Diane Healy.
By Sean Moriarty
Killarney Water Rescue launched its new rescue boat - named after Cian O’Donoghue who tragically drowned in Lough Leane in July 2013.
The new boat, launched on Saturday at the Muckross ‘Wet Boathouse’, joins three others in the local rescue service fleet, but this one has sea as well as lake capabilities.
Killarney Water Rescue has around 10 dedicated volunteers on its team and works closely with organisations like Kerry Mountain Rescue and Valentia Coast Guard.
It is called out on average twice a month with callouts increasing in the summer months. The new boat will allow the volunteers to work closer with the coast guard and help sea rescues in local beaches like Inch and Rossbeigh as well as increasing its presence on Killarney’s lakes.
“We could be called to anywhere and we are on call 24/7,” joint-PRO Diane Healy, said. “If the Coast Guard wants us – we have to go. We are pushing for more volunteers. A few of us go on every mission.”
Interested volunteers can contact Diane Healy on 087 6676813.