All at Arranmore RNLI are delighted to welcome Jerry Early on his appointment as lifeboat operations manager.
Jerry is no stranger to the Arranmore RNLI with an unbroken record of 43 years service, first as volunteer crew member, then as second coxswain for 10 years, deputy launch authority and now as LOM.
A well-known character on the Co Donegal island and further afield, Jerry is the owner of Early’s bar and restaurant, and a singer-songwriter whose song “I’ll Go” was inspired by the Arranmore lifeboat rescue of the Stolwych crew in December 1940, a boat which went on the rocks in horrendous weather conditions.
Jerry is also chairperson of Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation and is very much involved in the local community.
Jerry said: “As far a I can remember, my first call-out on the lifeboat was for a medical evacuation from the island.
“My second call-out was to a boat with five people onboard which was perilously close to rocks off the coast of Keadue. The boat was overdue and the lifeboat was asked to launch in search of the boat.
“We launched not knowing where the stricken boat was as it had lost all power, but on route we saw a light flashing and proceeded to the area where the boat was located. The flashes were from a camera a member of the crew had, which was the only way to alert the lifeboat crew to its position. A tow rope was established and the boat was successfully towed in to Burtonport with all five onboard.
“Just as we were setting off back to base from Burtonport, we were again alerted to a call for assistance off Glen Head where a person had fallen overboard a boat. Unfortunately, we were unable to save the casualty.
“It was a long night but the coxswain Bernard Bynre was an excellent seaman and we had faith in his ability to get us all safely back to the lifeboat station and made sure we were all cared for.”
On his appointment as LOM, Jerry extended his thanks to launch authority John McCafferty who he said was a great help to himself and the station. Jerry also thanked all the crew and station personnel and particularly his predecessor Tony Ward who gave many years of service as crew and manager.
“I would like to thank the crew and all involved with Arranmore RNLI,” Jerry said. “We are in the process of extending our launch authority personnel to four. We know that our dedicated volunteer crew will continue to add to the great history of the Arranmore RNLI that I am privileged to be part of.”
Area operations manager Martin Philips said: “I am extremely pleased that Jerry has taken on the role of lifeboat operations manager of Arranmore RNLI. Jerry is a long-standing volunteer in both seagoing and management roles, his experience and respect from both the station volunteers and the wider community is ideal for his new role. I am looking forward to working with Jerry to continue to manage and develop the RNLI lifesaving service in the area.”
