New Achill Coast Guard Station Opens With €200,000 Boat Fund

The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, recently opened a new state-of-the-art facility for the Achill Coast Guard Unit.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Michael Ring TD, recently opened a new state-of-the-art facility for the Achill Coast Guard Unit, and announced a 200,000 euro grant for a new Coast Guard boat.

Speaking at the opening of the new Station House, Minister Ring revealed that his Department is providing a new 8 metre Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) for the Unit. The Achill Coast Guard Unit is trained to provide cliff rescue services, maritime search and rescue, and shoreline search services, and has responded to 11 call-outs so far this year.

Minister Ring said: ‘I am delighted to officiate at this opening and am particularly pleased to confirm that funding has been secured to facilitate the purchase of a new 8 metre RIB for this hardworking, professional, Volunteer Coast Guard Unit.’

“This is a proud day for Unit Officer in Charge, Ray Hughes and his local volunteer team, for the people of Achill and surrounding areas. I am particularly pleased to see a purpose-built building being used by the two Blue Light emergency response organisations, the Coast Guard and Fire Service, demonstrating a value for money approach in securing suitable facilities,” said Mr Ring.

The new station house provides accommodation and storage for the Unit’s existing boat, road transport and cliff rescue equipment, as well as an operations control room, classroom and changing rooms.

Achill Coast Guard Unit has 25 volunteer members and has been tasked on 11 occasions this year by Malin Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre. The incidents included rescuing three personnel stranded at the bottom of a cliff with an incoming tide, assisting the Garda Síochána in the search for a missing person, assisting a casualty with leg injuries until the arrival of a Health Service Executive ambulance, and assisting at a fun fair after a mini-tornado strike.

The Achill Unit also provided transport to local health care workers during the severe cold weather at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011.

The new Coast Guard premises are located in a purpose-built facility shared with Achill Fire Brigade. Construction was jointly funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in conjunction with Mayo County Council.

Achill CGU received a prestigious award last year, the “National Courage Award.” The Unit was nominated by Mr Patrick Williamson, who was rescued by them in August 2009 after falling into the Atlantic whilst fishing on rocks near Achill Island. The Unit was also honoured at the Birmingham St Patrick’s Day festival this year (the 3rd largest in the world) for rescuing Mr Williamson.