An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 15 he explains, "At the moment the unit is using just basic VHF radios. I am currently designing a course to qualify all the unit with a GMDSS Short Range Certificate." Generosity and Commemoration: CCMPSAR's water craft are named in commemoration of some who have been lost 'The Daniel Mulcahy' and another is 'The Aidan Brereton', whose families made a generous donation to assist in funding the boats. In recent weeks CCMPSAR held an official launch and blessing for their new RIB 'The Nora Flynn'. Edwin tells me, "It was a privilege and an honour to have the late Nora Flynn's family and sponsors, join us for the launch. We could not have done this without the continued backing of a number of Cork companies who supported us such as Port of Cork, Irish Mainport Holdings, Lehane Environmental & Industrial Services Ltd, CH Marine, Whelan Stores, Inver and Jotun (Ireland) Ltd." Many others have been supportive and exceptional giving to the group, Fergus Thompson in Blackpool Auto Centre donated a Jeep and very recently an anonymous donor gave another utility jeep to the group. Now a registered charity, they strive to make each cent count. RHIBs are thirsty beasts for fuel and searches involve huge man hours out on the often-freezing cold conditions of the water. Edwin is delighted to tell me that Boston Scientific having ad- opted them as their preferred charity this year, 'It's a fantastic part- nership. We travelled down to give them a presentation on what it is that we do and we were blown away by their support. We can't thank them and people in general enough.' Like all volunteer ran organisations the unit is always welcoming of donations and they recently ran a target recruitment drive for volunteers. A Stolen Ringbuoy – A Stolen Life: Christy O'Donovan, is the Search Co-Ordinator for the unit and he recently had to highlight the incredible numbers of ringbuoys that are being recovered by the CCMPSAR. During one week in February this year 15 ringbuoys, were removed from along the south bank of the river. The unit recovered 11 of these potentially lifesaving devices, which have no other purpose than to save lives. Speaking to the Cork Inde- pendent, Christy said, "This is getting beyond the realm of ridiculous now. A life ring is a life. If you were caught doing the same thing with a defibrillator, you'd be dragged through the courts for it." Mr O'Donovan posted images this March of yet more recovered buoys, stating on their very active social media accounts that, "Four more life rings recovered from the river while we were on a routine search today. It's like an epidemic, idiots throwing them in; every time we go out we seem to find three or four each time." The river Lee is sadly not an exception with people interfering with ringbouys all over the country, Galway city had 150 removed in 2018 alone. Irish Water Safety has a long running campaign warn- ing that lives will be lost to drowning unless irresponsible members of the public stop damaging ringbuoys. They have appealed to the public to assist in maintaining these vitally important lifesav- ing devices by reporting missing ringbuoys to Irish Water Safety's website: www.ringbuoys.ie. This group of committed volunteers are disappointed at acts like this, however they remain undeterred in their mission, to provide a compassionate and responsive service to anyone in need. 1 The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an international system which uses improved terrestrial and satellite technology and ship-board radio systems. CONTACT & DONATIONS DETAILS: www.missingpersons.ie www.missing.ws/_mpassociation/mpAssociation.asp www.facebook.com/missing.persons.search.and.recovery The National Missing Persons Helpline: 1890 442 552 CCMPSAR: 087 9609885 / Email: ccmpsar@gmail.com DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED BY: The Lough Credit Union: Acc. No: 80073951 Sort Code: 991061. EFT: IBAN No: IE88LOC199106180073951 BIC No: 'LOCIIE21XXX' swift code BNPAIE21. Divers from CCMPSAR under go Full Face Mask training. Boston Scientific donates €30,000 to the CCMPSAR Unit CCMPSAR Members Photo from left to right are David Shine, Dinny Kiely, Edwin O'Sullivan Chairman CCMPSAR, Shauna Kiely, Brian Looney and Cian O Daltún.

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