Lough Ree RNLI to hold volunteer information meetings this week

Lough Ree RNLI, the charity which provides the lifeboat service on Lough Ree and the River Shannon, is holding two information evenings this week for locals interested in volunteering as crew.

Throughout the year Lough Ree RNLI volunteer crew provide a 24 hour/seven day on-call service to members of the public who find themselves in need of assistance on the lake or river waters.

More than 40 volunteers give of their time on the water and on shore to in an effort to improve water safety.

The charity is now holding two information evenings for members of the local community who would like to consider becoming RNLI volunteer crew members.

The open evenings will take place at the RNLI Boathouse at Coosan Point this evening, Tuesday, July 21, and on Thursday, July 23, starting at 6.30pm.

Lough Ree RNLI offers several volunteering roles and at the events there will be an opportunity to meet and chat with crew members.

There are many different roles available with the lifeboat service ranging from lifeboat crew on the water, shore crew preparing for launch and recovery alongside teams specialising in water safety education, station visits, and communications and fundraising, which includes staffing the lifeboat 'pop up’ shop.

Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave McCourt, who joined the service last year, spoke about his positive experience to date.

"Everyone is welcome to the open evenings and we welcome the generosity of people who are willing to give of their time and skills to save people in danger on the lake.

"One of the things I most enjoyed was the varied training I received from the RNLI as part of my role," the Operations Manager said.