Displaying items by tag: Bethany

26th September 2011

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Crew Welcome Surf Champion Bethany Hamilton

A touch of Hollywood glamour came to Bundoran recently when Hawaiian surfing champion Bethany Hamilton dropped into Bundoran RNLI lifeboat station to say hello to members of the volunteer lifeboat crew. Bethany was in town for the gala Irish screening of the film 'Soul Surfer', which is based on her life and was being screened after the opening of the European Surfing Championships.

Bethany lost her left arm in a shark attack off the North Shore of Kauai in Hawaii in 2003. The incident and her recovery are the subject of the new Disney film 'Soul Surfer'. Following the attack, Bethany overcame all the odds to become a champion surfer again. The film features an all star cast including Anna Sophia Robb, Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid.

Bethany called in to say hello to the lifeboat crew and was happy to pose for a photograph with the volunteers. She is also no stranger to the area, having traced her family roots back to the Donegal town through the Hamilton's of Hamilton Hall. The lifeboat crew made sure she was made very welcome and presented her with her very own RNLI "SOS" t-shirt and pen.

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Surfer Bethany Hamilton with RNLI Bundoran. Photo: Linda McNulty

Speaking during the visit Bethany said, "With the incredible amount of time that I've spent in the ocean I've learnt how important emergency services are. The work that the RNLI Lifeboat guys do here in Bundoran is amazing and to do it on a voluntary basis really blows my mind - what a blessing for the community. The commitment these guys show, is second to none."

Commenting on the visit Colm Hamrogue, Bundoran RNLI lifeboat press officer added, "We were thrilled to welcome Bethany to the lifeboat station and show her the lifeboat. It was an honour to meet the person who has overcome such adversity to go on and become a champion in her sport. She is a true inspiration to the RNLI volunteers who go out and save lives at sea."

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The European Surfing Championships are being held in Bundoran for the third time in the competition's history and run from September 23rd to the 2nd of October. As always the Bundoran RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew will be available if needed and wish all the competitors the very best of luck.

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Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.