Plans for formal rescue service for Lough Ree

Plans are afoot to launch a new rescue service for Lough Ree. The Athlone branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) is holding a public meeting next week in order to recruit volunteers for the service. While at present there is a reliance on Athlone Sub Aqua Club and the owners of local marinas to provide a rescue service on the lake, the IWAI wants to put a more formal arrangement in place, similar to the one already in operation on Lough Derg. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week one of the men behind the initiative, Damien Delaney, said the current arrangement was somewhat fragmented, with people wondering who they should call. However, if a new rescue service was put in place people would call the emergency services, who would then have a dedicated number to contact, with the call going out to all volunteers that they are needed and the first ones there will respond to the call for help. The IWAI is appealing to people to volunteer for various roles, such as boat crews and drivers and also for people to operate the phone service. The hope is that there will essentially be two pools of people - a group to deal with administration tasks and the operations crew. Training will be provided but it would be an advantage if people already have boating experience, particularly in driving or crewing in fast RIBs or powerboats. All volunteers must be over 18 years of age and the IWAI said they must be committed and also physically fit as the work is strenuous. The occupation of volunteers must also allow them to respond at short notice. It will run along the lines of any other volunteer emergency service. The IWAI is holding a meeting for the public in The Bounty at 8pm next Tuesday, April 12, and all interested people are invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to outline the proposal for the establishment of the rescue service and also to gauge the level of skill and commitment for the service already existing in the area, and to record contact and skill details of these people and also of further volunteers. Anyone who is unable to attend but is interested in being involved in the new rescue service can contact 087 2437092. While there is a service in operation on Lough Ree already, the IWAI wants to build on this service and put it on a more formal footing. In a statement the IWAI said this week: "There is a large group of skilled boating people on Lough Ree, comprising the members of local Sub Aqua clubs, angling clubs, boat club, yacht club, sailing school and the IWAI, and the IWAI is hoping that approximately 30 to 40 volunteers will come forward and commit themselves from across this group." The rescue service will also need a rescue boat, such as a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) and a base with storage, training/meeting and slipway facilities and a communication system to receive emergency calls and to alert the volunteers.