Press Releases 2011

Archive: 2009 2010  2012

Santa gets an escort from Bundoran Lifeboat Crew, puts on his lifejacket, and heads off on board the lifeboat.

Tuesday, 7 November 2011

RNLI Chief Executive visits Bundoran Lifeboat Station

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat today, Tuesday November 7 2011, welcomed the Chief Executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to the Lifeboat station in Bundoran.

RNLI CEO Paul Boissier, accompanied by his wife, Mrs Susie Boissier, are visiting the Irish division this week and are taking the opportunity to visit several lifeboat stations and meet with crew, shore crew, branch officials and fundraisers in both the Republic and Northern Ireland. As part of this tour, the crew at Bundoran Lifeboat station were honoured to host a visit of Mr and Mrs Boissier who was accompanied by Anna Classon, RNLI Fundraising and Communications Manager as well as Martyn Smith, RNLI Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats Ireland.

Mr Boissier was given a tour of Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat station and was shown the Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat William Henry Liddington which came into service in 2010.

Speaking about the visit, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat, Tony McGowan said ‘We are delighted to welcome Paul and his wife Susie to Bundoran Lifeboat Station and are honoured that he wanted to take the time to visit and meet with the crew and management of Bundoran RNLI. The Lifeboat is a huge part of the community here in Bundoran and its success is not only down to the committed volunteer crew but also the outstanding generosity of locals both in Bundoran and the surrounding area’

Mr Boissier paid tribute to the Bundoran crew for their spirit of volunteerism, their commitment to the RNLI and the local communities in the Donegal Bay area. He discussed recent rescues involving Bundoran Lifeboat and complimented the station on their maintenance and the attention to detail given to the Lifeboat and launch vehicle.

Mr Boissier talks to Crew Members of Bundoran Lifeboat Station.

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat launched to aid fishing vessel

The crew of Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat were launched yesterday (Wednesday, 12
October 2011) to assist a fishing vessel which had suffered engine failure just
north of Tullaghan, County Leitrim.

Within minutes of receiving the call around 3.30pm from the coastguard, Bundoran RNLI
Lifeboat launched and were soon alongside the 26ft fishing vessel. The four man crew
immediately assessed the situation and, in moderate sea conditions, commenced a tow
of the fishing vessel to nearby Mullaghmore Harbour where she was berthed safely.

Colm Hamrogue, Lifeboat Press Officer, Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat, commented “Today’s
callout just goes to show the many varying types of reasons that the RNLI Lifeboat gets
called out. Engine failures can happen and while there may not have been any
immediate danger, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat is on call 24 hours a day with a crew fully trained for all scenarios”.

 

Monday, 03 October 2011

“Countrywide” broadcast from Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Station to celebrate Eurosurf

RTE Radio One’s “Countrywide” programme was broadcast live from the Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat station on Saturday 1^st October to celebrate the European Surfing Championships which have been taking place in the seaside town all week.

Programme presenter Damien O’Reilly started the programme outside the station and then made his way inside where he was greeted by the music of the Rare Groove Funk Orchestra. The programme had an eclectic mix of guests, but naturally all with a water theme. Local surf school owner and Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Crewman Killian O’Kelly spoke to Damien about Eurosurf and also about the surf school business in Bundoran.

Donegal Democrat editor Michael Daly reminisced about days gone by in Bundoran while journalist Mark Patterson provided an interesting audio pastiche of actually going surfing with a recording unit strapped to his arm. Local historian and member of the Rare Groove Funk Orchestra Marc Geegan talked about some of Bundoran’s little known history. Damien was also joined by local doctor Prannie Rhatigan who brought along some her unique scones, dilisk and seaweed “shots” for him and the assembled guests to sample.

Surfer Ashleigh Smith, the only remaining Irish competitor at Eurosurf spoke about her chances in Sunday’s final and the last words went to the, by now, famous Nan and Patricia Brennan who talked about their Main Street pub which has been there for 111 years and the fact that neither a television nor a radio has ever found its way into the establishment.

Colm Hamrogue, Lifeboat Press Officer, Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat, commented “We were delighted to facilitate Damien and the RTE Radio One crew this morning at Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Station – the station provided an ideal setting for the broadcast particularly with its “water theme” being located at Bundoran Pier and overlooking the world famous “Peak” surfbreak. Damien got a tour of the Lifeboat and was keen to hear how the Atlantic 85 “William Henry Liddington” had helped to save so many lives in the past in the Donegal area and all on a voluntary basis”.

Monday, 26 September 2011

Bundoran RNLI lifeboat crew welcome Surf Champion Bethany Hamilton to Donegal for film premiere

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.

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.”

The European Surfing Championships are being held in Bundoran for the third time in the competition’s history and run from September 23^rd to the 2^nd 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.

29^th August 2011

Bundoran RNLI pushing the boat out for fundraising drive

If you’re driving from Ballyshannon to Bundoran this Saturday (3^rd September 2011) and you think you’re seeing things, then chances are that you’re witnessing what has now become the annual “boat push” in aid of Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat. The boat push will start on Donegal Road in Ballyshannon at noon and members of the lifeboat crew will have buckets with them on the route for people to make a donation. The route will take them through Ballyshannon, Finner and into Bundoran, finishing at the lifeboat station at Bundoran Pier, covering a distance of 9.5km.

The fundraising drive is just one of the events which helps to run Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Station and keep the Atlantic 85 Lifeboat “William Henry Liddington” maintained and ready to go at a moment’s notice. The volunteer crew count on the generous support of the public to ensure that the RNLI can continue to provide all year search and rescue coverage and we hope to get lots of support on Saturday.”

Commenting on the fundraiser, lifeboat press officer Colm Hamrogue said, “The boat push has now become an annual fixture in Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat’s fundraising calendar and is something the volunteer crew at the station look forward to each year. Not only does it give us a chance to raise much needed funds to continue to run this voluntary service, it also gives us a chance to meet our supporters from the area who continually donate to us despite the tough financial times we find ourselves in”

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat assists in unusual call out involving fallen power lines

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat launched today to fallen power lines at the Erne River, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal to provide on scene safety. The alarm was raised by the Coast Guard at 12:35. Power lines had been damaged on Inish Saimer at the mouth of the River Erne. The RNLI Lifeboat and crew aided the ESB in making the scene safe.
 

Commenting after the call out, deputy launching authority Patrick O'Doherty said, “It was a very unusual call out for the crew, but this is why we train for every eventually. The coastguard raised the alarm and the lifeboat was tasked to assist in the operation by providing on scene safety as electricity and water are a very dangerous combination. It is important to follow safety advice when taking to the water. Water safety information is available from the RNLI’s website, www.rnli.ie. Remember, if you are ever unsure or see something or someone in trouble in the water, ring 112 and get the lifeboat out.”

Bundoran's Branch Chairman Frank Bourke receiving his silver badge from guest of honour of the ceremony Bobby Kerr.

21 April 2011

Swimmer rescued - Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat

A female swimmer was rescued from the sea at Bundoran, Co. Donegal by Bundoran RNLI lifeboat. The alarm was raised by a member of the public before 4.00pm. The swimmer was aided by another person in the water off the main beach in Bundoran and then she was brought ashore safely by the RNLI crew.

Commenting after the call out, volunteer lifeboat press officer Colm Hamrogue said, “We are delighted that the young swimmer is home safe and sound. We also want to thank the member of the public for calling out the lifeboat. We advise everybody to take care when enjoying the water over the coming summer months. It is important to follow safety advice when taking to the water. Water safety information is available from the RNLI’s website, www.rnli.ie.”

Monday, 18 April 2011

David Craig to Run the Belfast Marathon for Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat.

David Craig, a Belfast native, will run the Belfast City Marathon to raise funds for Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat on May the 2^nd 2011. On his weekly training session from Mullaghmore to Bundoran, avid runner David, spotted the Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat station and this sparked an interest with him to support the RNLI.
 

Speaking at the Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat station, Colm Hamrogue, Volunteer Press Officer commented; “We are delighted that David is raising funds for the RNLI by running in the Belfast City Marathon. David’s training route is from Mullaghmore to Bundoran, as he has a holiday home in Mullaghmore. He just saw the station when he was running past one day and offered to raise money for our charity.”
 

Everyone in the RNLI is behind David and Graeme Kingston who will be running the 26 miles to help save lives at sea. David will be out and about training this coming Saturday the 23^rd in Mullaghmore, so please feel free to encourage and support him, he will be the one wearing the RNLI Lifeboat t-shirt.

For further information please contact:

Colm Hamrogue, Bundoran RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer