The Irish Coast Guard crew in Killala are to receive a new response craft as part of the Coast Guard’s RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat ) replacement programme. The news has been welcomed by Minister of State Michael Ring.
The Coast Guard operates a fleet of 15 RIBs around the Irish coast. Under the replacement programme, four Coast Guard response vessels which have been in service for well over a decade are now being replaced. One of the new craft is destined for Killala, the other craft will be located in Greencastle, Co Donegal, Bunbeg, Co Donegal, and in Doolin, Co Clare.
These new vessels will enhance the safety of the volunteer crews, the comfort of casualties and will allow the Coast Guard Units to operate more effectively, more efficiently and safely in the harsh weathers and increasing wave heights off our exposed north and west coasts.
The four new Delta RIBs are fitted with Automatic Identification System (AIS ) which allows the boats to be tracked from the Coast Guard Marine Rescue Operations Centres, radar, electronic chart plotters and self-righting systems. Furthermore, new developments in the form of suspension seating for crew safety and comfort have been fitted for the first time. The new craft have an endurance of more than four hours and can reach speeds in excess of 40 knots in moderate conditions. Three of these vessels are nine metres in length, one is eight metres in length.
The volunteer crews for these new boats are currently undergoing training, competency development and evaluation at their stations. These new boats will enhance the Coast Guards’ response capability as well as augmenting the capacity to conduct safety compliance monitoring patrols during the active boating and holiday season as well as supporting pollution response and environmental monitoring.
Old boats will be either reconditioned and used as safety compliance patrol boats during the active boating and holidaying seasons or will replace unserviceable training craft.
Minister Ring said: This is great news for the Coast Guard crews in Killala who, together with their colleagues all around our coastline, provide a 24/7 maritime and coastal search and rescue service 365 days per year. I wish the very best to all the crews who are currently undergoing training to use these new boats and I am pleased to hear they will enhance safety and help them operate more efficiently in the harsh weathers off our western seaboard.”
