Ring presents Coast Guard with new Mobile Command Vehicle ^Featured

The new Incident Command Vehicle will be based at Sligo airport and will be used for On Scene management of major marine emergency incidents on the west and north west coast of Ireland.

It has been fitted with modern marine communications equipment and will be available for deployment on a 24/7 basis.

The annual conference is being attended by representatives of the Coast Guard’s 49 coastal units nationally.  The conference will cover a diverse range of issues relating to the search and rescue and marine pollution and salvage control role of the Coast Guard. It is also an opportunity for representatives of Coast Guard units from across the country to meet, exchange experience over the past year, discuss issues, attend presentations and workshops. 

Minister Ring said: “I am very pleased to attend your conference today and on behalf of the Government to acknowledge the life-saving role of the Coast Guard and of the selfless dedication of the hundreds of members across the country. 

New vessels

"I am also very pleased to announce that I am officially presenting the Director of the Irish Coast Guard, Mr Chris Reynolds with the Keys of a new Mobile Incident Command Vehicle. I know this new vehicle will act as an Incident Command Centre in the west-north west region and will be located here in the north west ready to be deployed as and when required.

Thanking the Minister, Director of the Irish Coast Guard Chris Reynolds said: Thanking the Minister, Director of the Irish Coast Guard Chris Reynolds said:: “Over the past few months we have launched 5 new Coast Guard boats and early next we will see the delivery of 7 new vessels. 

"This month we will take delivery of 11 new vehicles including vans and 4x4s and in the coming weeks, we take delivery of our new S92 helicopters.  I would like to thank the Minister, on behalf of the Government for their ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Coast Guard personnel are well equipped to fulfil our many demanding roles.“

Pictured at the presentation of the new Coast Guard Incident Response Command Vehicle which was presented by Minister Ring at their annual conference in Hotel Westport were from Left to right - Gerard O 'Flynn VS and T Manager, John McLoughlin Operations and Training Officer, Tony Culkin OiC Killala CG, Ray Hughes OiC Achill CG, Minister Michael Ring dtts, Councillor Christy Hyland, Chris Reynolds Director of the Irish Coast Guard, Henry J Gaughan OiC Ballyglass CG, Brian Moran OiC Westport CG.