Announcing details of the competition today, Minister Dempsey said: “The theme for the 2009 competition is Marconi and Ballybunion. It’s been 100 years since the first Morse code signal was transmitted across the Atlantic from the West coast of Ireland, to St. Johns Newfoundland in Canada. Morse code revolutionised high-speed communications for the maritime community. The first voice communication was transmitted from the Marconi station in Ballybunion to Louisburg Cape Breton (Nova Scotia in Canada) in March 1919. I can think of no better place to mark this co-operation and achievement than here in Ballybunion as we remember its special place in history.”
The Minister added: “Events like this demonstrate that when it comes to Search and Rescue operations provided by the Irish Coast Guard and HM Coastguard Northern Ireland, our co-operation knows no borders. These competitions allow our volunteers to demonstrate to the public the skills they use every day in search and rescue operations. Some of the skills tested in these challenges will include leadership, planning, communications, casualty care and seamanship. The aim of the competition is to enhance co-operation between Coast Guard Divisions, North and South through friendly competition.”
A total of 12 team members from each of the Coast Guard Divisions (Dublin, Malin, Valentia) and HM Coastguard Northern Ireland will take part in the competition. Two 4-person teams from each Division will be drawn and the remaining members will be entered as combined teams.
