New €65,000 community funded lifeboat goes on service at Fethard RNLI

The arrival of the lifeboat to be named Naomh Dubhán, comes three years after the station launched a special appeal to raise €65,000 to fund a new lifeboat which would replace Tradewinds, which was nearing her end of service.

Following a successful fundraising drive supported by the people of Fethard, the Hook peninsula, Duncannon, Ballyhack and the New Ross area, the funds were raised in 12 months, bringing today’s milestone to fruition.

The volunteer lifeboat crew had their last exercise on their retiring lifeboat Wednesday night (31 January) before commencing a period of familiarisation training with their new lifeboat yesterday afternoon (1 February).

During her time on service in Fethard, Tradewinds, which was generously funded by Bríd Mulhern, a donor from Dunmore, launched 288 times and rescued 149 people.

The honour of naming a new lifeboat is one given to those who donate it and on this occasion, Fethard RNLI put a call out to the people of the Hook peninsula who generously raised the funds, to come up with a fitting name.

Naomh Dubhán was the popular choice with numerous suggestions from people wanting to name the lifeboat after St. Dubhán who came to the Hook Peninsula from Wales in 452 A.D and established a monastery.

It is believed that St. Dubhán lit the first warning beacon for ships on the Hook Peninsula shortly after his arrival. This beacon was maintained by monks for 700 years until Hook lighthouse was built.

Speaking following the arrival of the new lifeboat, Oonagh Hearne Messette, Chair of Fethard RNLI Fundraising, said: ‘We are extremely grateful to the community of Fethard and beyond for funding our new lifeboat and we are delighted that their hard work has been rewarded by Naomh Dubhán’s arrival at the station today. Our crew and fundraisers will know that every time the lifeboat launches or that a life is saved or a person is rescued, it was made possible with thanks to the efforts of our community.’

First introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1963, the design of the inflatable D class lifeboat continues to evolve to meet changes in demand and technology.

It is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than all-weather lifeboats. The D Class comes into her own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations - often close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves.

The D class lifeboat in Fethard is launched from a trolley, with the help of a launch and recovery Landrover.

With the arrival of a new lifeboat, Fethard RNLI is also taking the opportunity to recruit new volunteers for a variety of roles so that it can successfully continue to provide a search and rescue service in County Wexford.

Hugh Burke, Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager is calling on any volunteers who may be interested, to come along to the station and find out more: ‘We are looking for anyone aged 17 years and over who is willing to offer some of their free time to join what I believe to be, one of the most exhilarating and rewarding voluntary services that is out there.

‘Every volunteer receives first class training from the RNLI and learns new skills which can benefit them in many walks of life. Lifeboat crew members need to have a reasonable level of fitness, have good eyesight and not be colour blind. Anyone who would like to volunteer but feels they would not meet the requirements for lifeboat crew should in no way be put off, as shore crew also play an essential role in the launch and recovery of the lifeboat when it goes on service.’

Anyone who feels they have the time and commitment to volunteer or who would like to find out is asked to get in touch with Hugh on 0863346184.

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Damien McGarry, Fethard RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0858188938, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations with 46 in Ireland, 10 of which are in Northern Ireland, and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches with 11 in Northern Ireland. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,200 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.