RNLI enthusiast, Mark Conway, presents Lough Derg RNLI with a model lifeboat

On Thursday evening, May 13, RNLI lifeboat enthusiast Mark Conway, accompanied by his carer Ivana Kottesova, visited Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station to present volunteers with a model he made of their Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Jean Spier.

Mark, who is supported by the Brothers of Charity based in Limerick, says he’s been making models all his life. He says because of his ‘admiration for the brave lifeboat men and women within the RNLI’, he set himself the challenge to make a model lifeboat for each of the stations in Ireland.

Before the pandemic, Mark presented Kinsale RNLI and Kilrush RNLI with model lifeboats for their stations. He says he is currently working on a model for Lough Ree RNLI.

In line with Covid19 guidelines, a total of fifteen people gathered outdoors at the station for the presentation. On behalf of all the volunteers at the station, Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager, thanked Mark and gave him an RNLI keyring, stickers and pin to mark the occasion.

As Mark’s visit coincided with crew training, he was delighted to see the lifeboat launch on exercise and was conversant on all the specifications of the Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

Photographs by Eleanor Hooker

1. LtoR: Mark Conway; Deputy Launching Authorities Peter Kennedy, Catherine Gleeson and Jeremy Freeman; Lifeboat Operations Manager, Christine O’Malley

2. Mark Conway with his model of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier

3. LtoR: Mark Conway; Lifeboat Operations Manager, Christine O’Malley; Deputy Launching Authority, Jeremy Freeman

Ends

Notes to editors

• Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
• A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer helm and Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media
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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 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 lives.

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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.