Coast Guard To Hold S&R Demo In June

Irish Coast Guard to hold annual Search and Rescue demonstration in Cobh on 19 June

The Irish Coast Guard today announced the annual Search and Rescue Demonstration will take place in Cobh, Co. Cork on Saturday 19 June at 2pm. The purpose of the exercise is to raise public awareness of safety on the water; both at sea and on inland waterways. The demonstration will also include a ‘fly-past’ by the Coastguard helicopter and the Air Corps aircraft.

Highlights of the afternoon will include a series of search and rescue demonstrations involving the Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI, the Naval Service, local authorities, the HSE, An Garda Siochana, the Port of Cork, the Civil Defence, the Red Cross, the Order of Malta and Cork Fire Service. The Search and Rescue Dog Association will also be in attendance.

The RNLI will provide advice on water safety and free Personal Flotation Device inspection.

Speaking today, Declan Geoghegan manager of the Irish Coast Guard said :

“Saturday 19 June is a great opportunity for members of the public to come along and to learn more about the Irish Coast Guard and the services we provide. It’s also a great opportunity for the Coast Guard to raise awareness about safety on the water, particularly during the busy summer season when many people are involved in water-based activities.”

As part of the afternoon, primary school children are invited to enter an art and drawing competition. Competitors are asked to depict any scene illustrating a water rescue/emergency situation so there is lots of scope for imagination! Entries should be brought along on the day (with entrants name, age and school clearly marked) and handed in at the Coast Guard Mobile Communications Unit, which will be clearly visible on the day.

Michael Martin, President of the Cobh & Harbour Chamber expressed his delight at welcoming the Annual Search and Rescue demonstration to Cobh and said it will be a great opportunity to raise awareness of water safety in the harbour town of Cobh.