MARITIME AND
COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (Duty Notice 1) issued by The
Government News Network on 10 May 2008
COASTGUARDS from
the four corners of Ireland have converged in County Dublin this
weekend for a training exercise with a difference!
Howth is
the base for the 2008 Joint Search and Rescue games which involves
members of the Northern Ireland Coastguard and the Irish Coast Guard.
Now in its third year, the event aims to increase the
professionalism of all participants and to enhance co-operation
between both Services' through friendly competition.
Twelve team members from Coastguard stations throughout Northern
Ireland are among the competitors at this year's event, with
participants competing in separate teams against their colleagues
from the Dublin, Malin and Valentia Coast Guard divisions.
Each of the eight four-person teams are either competing on
behalf of their division, or are part of an inter-divisional
(North-South) team, trying to secure one of the four awards up for
grabs at this year's games.
During today's competitions the 48 competitors, which
include ten women, will be faced with a range of emergency
situations which they encounter throughout their coastguarding careers.
These competitions will test the skills they use in their
emergency service roles. These will include leadership; search
planning; chart work; communications; compass work; and rope work.
The Canadian Award will be presented to the best inter-divisional
team; the Captain Kirwan Cup will be awarded to the best overall
team; a shield will be presented to the best divisional team and
the fourth award, a silver cup, will be awarded to the competitor
who has exhibited the best leadership skills.
Up to 3,000 spectators are expected to converge on Howth for this
weekend's event, the theme of which is 'Coast
Guard's - Old and New.'
Focusing on the emergency services' roles down through the
years, a horse-driven Coast Guard rescue cart -- an essential
piece of equipment to coastguards in the late 1800s and early
1900s -- is on display at Howth harbour
In stark contrast, the skies above have been filled with the
whirr of Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky helicopters which now play an
essential role in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.
The sought after awards will be presented tonight during a gala
awards dinner in Howth Yacht Club.
Ms. Julie O'Neill, Secretary General of the Department of
Transport, will attend the function and present the Captain Kirwan
Cup to the best search and rescue team.
Ms. O'Neill, who will be representing Mr. Noel Dempsey TD,
Minister of Transport, is expected to praise the work of the
formalization of closer links between the Irish Coast Guard and
their counterparts in Northern Ireland.
The JSAR Games has been described by Brett Cunningham, Coastal
Safety Manager for Western Scotland and Northern Ireland, as
"a key example of how both agencies work together."
Paying tribute to all those involved in the 2008 games, Mr.
Cunningham said:"This annual event is a prime example which
shows that when it comes to search and rescue matters, there is no
border."
He continued: "We have teams from the North
and the South here this weekend demonstrating how the two coast
guard agencies in Ireland work together for the same objectives.
"All coastal rescue team members are volunteers with their
own busy lifestyles however, they make time to provide this
essential life saving service to the public."
Reflecting on the contribution made by coastal rescue team
members, Mr. Cunningham added: "Over the decades, many lives
would have been lost had it not been for the total commitment of
these outstanding men and women."
Eamon Torpay, Voluntary Services and Training Manager for the
Irish Coast Guard, reiterated Mr. Cunningham's comments.
"The level of commitment shown by the volunteers taking part
in today's event is outstanding. JSAR 2008 is another shining
example of co-operation and team work," he said, adding that
he was "delighted with how well organized this event is.
The Canadian Award will be presented to the best North-South
team; the Captain Kirwan Cup will be awarded to the best overall
team; a shield will be presented to the best divisional team and
the fourth award, a cup, will be awarded to competitor who has
exhibited the best leadership skills.