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RNLI CREWS IN DUN LAOGHAIRE AND LOUGH SWILLY TO RECEIVE AWARDS
Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat crew to receive award for rescue
Two members of the Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat crew are to be awarded the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum and a further five Crew Members are to receive Vellum Service Certificates, in recognition for their role in the rescue of the lone swimmer in Killiney Bay on 21 September 2006.
Coxswain Ken Robertson will receive the vellum award for his leadership and skilful seamanship in the challenging rescue in storm force weather conditions and Crew Member Wayne Farrell will receive a vellum award for his skill and courage in entering the water from the lifeboat to assist the swimmer in difficulty.
On 21 September 2006 at 7.35pm the Dun Laoghaire RNLI all weather lifeboat Anna Livia was launched in response to a report of a swimmer in difficulty in the surf at the Vico Road landing in Killiney Bay, Co. Dublin. On setting out the lifeboat encountered force 7 winds and had good visibility. However as they cleared Dun Laoghaire harbour they meet with much rougher seas and strong winds gusting up to storm force 11.
A man standing on the footpath above the Vico Road landing steps waved a torch to attract the attention of the lifeboat crew to the swimmer below him who had been swept towards the top corner of the bay by the flood tide. The swimmer was caught between the breakers and the cliffs. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter were also on scene but due to the cliffs directly above the casualty they were unable to carry out a safe rescue.
Coxswain Ken Robertson manoeuvred the lifeboat in towards the shore and maintained a position ten metres away from the swimmer. Crew Member Wayne Farrell had donned a drysuit and attached a heaving line to himself in preparation for entering the water. On the Coxswains command he entered the sea and managed to get the swimmer in a hold. With the help of the crew the swimmer was brought to the safety of the lifeboat. All this time the Coxswain gently manoeuvred the lifeboat astern into the breaking seas to gain more depth and sea room away from the shore.
On return to Dun Laoghaire harbour the rescued woman was assessed by Crew Member Chris Watson, a trained paramedic. She had been in the rough seas for approximately an hour and was delivered into the care of the waiting Coast Guard and ambulance personnel.
Colin Williams, RNLI Divisional Inspector says:
'On receiving the page the lifeboat was launched within ten minutes and was on scene very quickly. The incident was then dealt with swiftly and skilfully by Coxswain Ken Robertson and his crew who used their RNLI training and experience to great effect. Their actions ensured a prompt rescue of a lone swimmer in storm conditions, who when located, was in a life threatening situation. They are worthy recipients of this honour.'
Vellum Service Certificates will also be presented to Second Coxswain Patrick Boyd, Station Mechanic Kieran O'Connell, and Crew Members Chris Watson, Gary Hayes and Rory Bolton and a Letter of Appreciation signed by the Chief Executive is to be sent to Lifeboat Operations Manager Stephen Wynne for the efforts of the station personnel both afloat and ashore in dealing with the incident.
RNLI Media Relations Manager for Ireland, Niamh Stephenson
email:nstephenson@rnli.org.uk
Lough Swilly RNLI lifeboat crew to receive award for rescue
Lough Swilly lifeboat's Second Coxswain Mark Barnet is to be accorded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum for his role during the long and difficult rescue of the 45 foot crabber Mary Ellen and her six crew members on 12 November 2006.
Deputy Second Coxswain George O'Hagan is to receive a Framed Letter of Thanks from the Chairman of the RNLI, and Crew Members Gregory McDaid, Alan O'Hagan, Stephen McGavigan and Dan Gallanagh are