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Arranmore RNLI welcomes new Coxswain, new lifeboat station and new crew

Lifeboats News Release

Arranmore RNLI are having a busy time responding to emergency call outs, six in five days, organising the official opening of the new boathouse, saying goodbye to the coxswain after 51 years of service, welcoming a new coxswain and five new crew members.

Area Operations Manager Martin Philips with new Coxswain Kieran O’Donnell and his dad and Coxswain Jimmy Early.

RNLI/Arranmore

Area Operations Manager Martin Philips with new Coxswain Kieran O’Donnell and his dad and Coxswain Jimmy Early.
As a 24/7 emergency search and rescue service, Arranmore RNLI has experienced a busy period.

From Sunday 28 July to Thursday 1 August, the volunteer crew responded to a yacht with engine trouble, three medical evacuations and two calls which were cancelled on launch as missing kayakers had been located.

A new era is dawning at Arranmore RNLI starting towards the end of August with the retirement of long time crew member and coxswain Jimmy Early. Jimmy was in his early teens when he first answered the call with the lifeboat, at the time local men with a knowledge of the sea crewed the lifeboats. Today, the volunteer crew, both men and women, are required to train in all aspects of saving lives at sea. Jimmy said: 'Lifeboats have been part of my life as long as I remember and I will miss working with an organisation that has one aim, that's saving lives. I will miss the camaraderie with the crew, all of whom I’ve known for years, the wider RNLI crew who I’ve got to know as a relief coxswain at different stations and the close bond with all the people who work on behalf of the RNLI. It is a very big family that I’ve had the privilege to be involved with. Of course I look forward to retirement and free time and I would like to congratulate Kieran (O'Donnell) on becoming the next Coxswain, he’s a very capable young man and I have no doubt he will serve the community of Arranmore and the coast of Donegal and the RNLI for years to come.’

New coxswain Kieran O’Donnell, who will start undergoing intensive and extensive training at the end of August with the RNLI has been on the volunteer crew of Arranmore for four years. Kieran’s father Seán who is the relief coxswain also serves on the crew and is very proud to serve under his son.
Kieran has worked in London for the past 11 years but comes back home on his days off to don the yellow wellies and kit.

Kieran said: 'I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I’ve wanted to relocate to Arranmore for years but the opportunity for work wasn’t available. My partner Teresa and I are in the process of building a house on Arranmore which is literally a three minute walk from the station so we are delighted. The coxswain training involves completing the yacht masters course, station and personnel management, crew training and all aspects of training involved in saving lives at sea and is really comprehensive and intense. I’m really thankful to the RNLI for the training and of course their faith in appointing me to the role of Coxswain. I look forward to all the challenges the role involves.'

The station will also welcome five new crew members who are undergoing training at present and it is a tribute to the community in Arranmore that the volunteer ethos is still strong on the island after 141 years.

RNLI Area Operations Manager, Martin Philips said: ‘Kieran shows all the key attributes of a good coxswain and as manager I’m looking forward to working with him and supporting him into the future. As he undergoes his period of training and undertakes the full time role of coxswain there will be a relief coxswain taking over at Arranmore to ensure continuity of service.’

As the station celebrates 141 years of service and the RNLI celebrates 200 years, the fifth boathouse to be built by the RNLI on Arranmore will be officially opened by Arranmore station president Majella O’Donnell on 7 September at 1pm. The crew have been operating out of portacabins while the new building was under construction and are delighted to be using the modern facilities. The building is a spacious construction with rooms to house tractor and launch boat, offices, large training areas and crew changing rooms.
Newly appointed RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes will attend the ceremony and the station will be handed over to Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tony Ward by Anna Classon, Head of the Irish region.

Dedication of the station will be performed by Very Reverend Pat Ward PP Kincasslagh and Very Reverend Liz FitzGerald Dean of Raphoe. They will be accompanied by Fr. John Attoh, Arranmore, Fr John Joe Duffy, Creeslough and Fr. Liam Boyle, ATU, who volunteered on the crew while based on Arranmore.

All at the station extend a very warm welcome to everyone to come and help celebrate this special occasion on the official opening of the new station and 141 years of saving lives. The teams will also welcome musicians who would like to join in on the celebrations.
Ferries will depart Burtonport harbour at the following times.
Red ferry departing 12pm. Ferry Fare. €10 return. Bus fare return to the station €5. Booking office: 07495 42233
Blue Ferry: departing 11.45am Ferry fare: €10. Return bus fare to the station:€5
0873171810
Booking is advised on both ferries.

Ends
The new lifeboat station at Arranmore RNLI

RNLI/Arranmore

The new lifeboat station at Arranmore RNLI

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.

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