During a busy first month at the new lifeboat station at Coosan Point volunteer crew guided visitors from near and far through the state of the art facility in the first public tours of the base, the panoramic view from the new training room giving a new aspect of Lough Ree to the visitors.
First through the doors prior of the May Bank Holiday were 18 guests from Moate Mens Shed accompanied by some partners who were greeted by volunteer crew led by Station Visits Officer Paul Kelly. The group had a first hand experience of the work of the charity when the volunteer crew were called out to assist a stricken cruiser on the lake during the course of the visit.
Early this month a group of 50 secondary school students from north east France arrived to experience the emergency procedures at first hand. The group of 15-18 year olds are part of a second level French programme at second which prepares them for a career in the emergency services. The visit to Lough Ree RNLI was part of an educational tour to Ireland.
In recent days a younger generation got their first experience of the charity’s work. Children from Clonbrusk Childcare Centre and first classes from neigbours at Coosan National School enjoyed exploring the lifeboat, trying out some of the gear and even timing themselves in ‘rapid response’!
"The charity looks forward to welcoming visitors of all generations to the Lifeboat Station. It is hoped to facilitate a number of visits each month with a waiting list already growing," station visits officer Paul Kelly, said.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that the official opening of the Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Station and the official naming of the charity’s lifeboat ‘Tara Scougall’, which had to be postponed due to the pandemic, will take place on Saturday, June 11, at 2pm, to which all are welcome to attend.
