Minister opens new Achill Coast Guard station

Minister Ring revealed that his Department is providing a new 8 metre Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) for the Unit. The Achill Coast Guard Unit is trained to provide cliff rescue services, maritime search and rescue, and shoreline search services, and has responded to 11 call-outs so far this year.
 
Minister Ring said: “This is a proud day for Unit Officer in Charge Ray Hughes and his local volunteer team, for the people of Achill and surrounding areas. I am particularly pleased to see a purpose built building being used by the two Blue Light emergency response organisations, the Coast Guard and Fire Service, demonstrating a value for money approach in securing suitable facilities.” 
 

Top class facilities
The new station house provides accommodation and storage for the Unit’s existing boat, road transport and cliff rescue equipment, as well as an operations control room, classroom and changing rooms.
 
Achill Coast Guard Unit has 25 volunteer members and been tasked on 11 occasions this year has by Malin Marine Rescue Coordination Centre. The incidents included rescuing three personnel stranded at the bottom of a cliff with an incoming tide, assisting the Garda Síochána in the search for a missing person, assisting a casualty with leg injuries until the arrival of Health Service Executive ambulance, and assisting at a fun fair after a mini-tornado strike.
 
The Achill Unit also provided transport to local health care workers during the severe cold weather at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011.
 
The new Coast Guard premises is located in a purpose-built facility shared with Achill Fire Brigade. Construction was jointly funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in conjunction with Mayo County Council.
 
Achill CGU received a prestigious award last year, the "National Courage Award". The Unit was nominated by Mr Patrick Williamson who was rescued by them in August 2009 after falling into the Atlantic whilst fishing on rocks near Achill Island. The Unit was also honoured at the Birmingham St Patrick’s Day festival this year (the 3rd largest in the world) for rescuing Mr Williamson.

The Minister slso presented long-service medals to Coast Guard volunteers, including two recipients who have given 40 years’ service to the Coast Guard.

 
List of Medal Recipients

    
Sean Gaughan: 40 years Long Service Medal  
Michael Lally: 40 years Long Service Medal  
Kevin Cleary: 30 years Long Service Medal  
Ian Scott: 25 years Long Service Medal  
Raymond Hughes: 20 years Long Service Medal  
Thomas Logue: 20 years Long Service Medal
Thomas Corrigan: 20 years Long Service Medal  
Michael Cafferkey: 20 years Long Service Medal
John Harley: 20 years Long Service Medal  
Sean Rodgers: 20 years Long Service Medal
James Corrigan: Proof of Service Medal
Michael McNulty: Proof of Service Medal
Rory Corrigan: Proof of Service Medal
Michael Needham: Proof of Service Medal
John McNamara: Proof of Service Medal
Michael Duggan: Proof of Service Medal
John Gallagher: Proof of Service Medal
Anthony McNulty  Proof of Service Medal
Brendan Murray  Proof of Service Medal
Kelly Hughes  Proof of Service Medal
Joseph Cooney  Proof of Service Medal
John O'Malley  Proof of Service Medal