This article is from page 29 of the 2008-09-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
KILKEE Marine and Rescue Serv- ice are looking for new volunteers to keep the service afloat into the next oor eee
Almost 300 people are alive today thanks to the brave efforts of the vol- untary members, and many more can be saved if the service continues to flourish.
On Saturday last people enjoyed a search and rescue exercise in Kilkee that included the coast guard units from Kilkee, Doolin, and Bally- bunnion, life guards, civil defence, RNLI, and the Shannon based coast guard helicopter as well as the local marine and rescue service.
It is hoped that the demonstration will entice you people to sign up and become involved with the service.
“We currently have about 50 mem- bers, but we need another eight to 10 new young members to train up,” said founding member Manuel DiLuici.
Training will involve a commit- ment of one night a week, usually for one to two hours.
Being a member of this life sav- ing group is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year com- pepLneerounlm
In its 26th year the Kilkee Marine and Rescue Service is Irelands oldest voluntary sea rescue service.
The service was set up in 1982 un- der the auspices of the Kilkee Devel- opment Association.
The fist ever call out for the Kilkee Marine Sea and Rescue Service 25 years ago was to a trawler in diffi- tate
The crew responded to the call in
force eight winds and brought it and its crew safely back to Doonbeg har- bour.
In 1986 the Kilkee crew were forced to recover the bodies of two of their own members – JJ Hartington from Castletownbere who was working in Moneypoint and Ian Benson from Kilkee.
Both men were in their twenties and were out fishing when the trag- edy occurred.
The rescue service has recovered 28 bodies during the past 25 years and saved 280 more.
Despite the crew, some 160 mem- bers throughout the 25 years, giving their services for free it costs be- tween €30,000 and €40,000 to keep the service running.
Ennis businessman PJ Howard sponsored the first of the services
four-life boats.
The boast needs to be replaced eve- ry five to seven years with the engine usually the first piece of the equip- ment to give trouble.
The current boast was purchased in 2003, but the service must already start thinking about how it will fund the €150,000 necessary to buy the state of the art boat.
For now though the sea and rescue team need donations of people’s time and dedication as well as finances.