Arranmore RNLI has been having a busy time responding to emergency call-outs, 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.
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.
It made for a busy send-off for retiring coxswain Jimmy Early, who first answered the call with the Co Donegal island lifeboat in his teens.
“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,” Jimmy said.
“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.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” Kieran said. “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.”
File image of Arranmore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat | Credit: RNLI/Arranmore
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 station president Majella O’Donnell on 7 September at 1pm.
The crew have been operating out of prefabs 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.
Return bus fare between the ferry landing and the station is €5 and ferries will depart Burtonport harbour at the following times (booking advisable):
- Red ferry departing 12pm, €10 return. Booking: 07495 42233
- Blue ferry departing 11.45am, €10 return. Booking: 087 317 1810
