Hurling legend Seán Óg Ó hAilpín lends his support to the Cork RNLI lifeboats for a night at the dogs

Cork hurling legend Séan Óg Ó hAilpín has joined forces with Cork’s volunteer lifeboat crews to launch a night at the Dogs at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium on Friday 27 May 2011 in aid of Cork RNLI lifeboat stations.

Tickets for the night have gone on sale and the charity hopes there will be great support for the event.  Eileen Kearney, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager for Munster says, “It is great to have an event that is benefitting a number of lifeboat stations together.  The RNLI lifeboat crew volunteers in Cork respond day and night in all weathers to every call for assistance.  Over the years they have saved countless lives and it is all due to the support and generosity of the public. We are planning a great night on the 27th May and I hope as many people as possible can join us.”

Séan Óg came down to Curraheen Park for the launch and met with lifeboat crew and organisers. Commenting on his reason for supporting the night Séan Óg said, “ Growing up and living in Cork I am very aware of the amazing work of the RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews in saving lives at sea.  As a charity the RNLI relies on the generosity of the public and I am delighted to support this great cause.”

The Cork lifeboat stations involved in the event are Kinsale, Youghal, Ballycotton, Castletownbere, Crosshaven and Courtmacsherry. Last year Cork lifeboat crews launched 179 times and brought 178 to safety.

The event promises to be a night of fun and entertainment and tickets are priced at €10 and are on sale now. For information on the night including tickets and sponsorship opportunities please contact Eileen Kearney on telephone 087 6236 322 or email eileen_kearney@rnli.org.uk

The RNLI has announced that its latest all-weather class of lifeboat will be called the Shannon. It follows in a 45-year tradition of naming the charity’s lifeboats after rivers or stretches of water, but it will be the first time that the name of an Irish river has been used.

Paul Boissier, RNLI Chief Executive, said: ‘I’m delighted to announce that our latest class of lifeboat will be called the Shannon. Current and previous classes of lifeboat carry, or have carried, the names of rivers from Wales, Scotland and England, so it’s fitting that our fleet now reflects the fact that our volunteers save lives at sea all around Ireland as well as the UK.’

The Shannon class lifeboat – its previous designation was the Fast Carriage Boat 2 or FCB2 reflecting that it will be predominantly launched over beaches, – harnesses cutting-edge technology to ensure that it will meet the demands of a 21st century rescue service and allow the charity’s volunteer crew to do their lifesaving work as safely as possible in all weather conditions.

Using twin waterjets instead of conventional propellers, the Shannon class will be able to operate in shallow waters and be highly manoeuvrable. The waterjets also reduce the risk of damage to the lifeboat during launch and recovery, or when intentionally beached.

It can be launched, bow first, from a tractor and carriage and will have a top speed of 25 knots. Like the Tamar class lifeboat, the Shannon also has specially designed seats that protect the volunteer crew and SIMS (System and Information Management System), which allows the crew to monitor the boat from the safety of their seats.

Like all RNLI all-weather lifeboats, the Shannon is self-righting and will return to an upright position in the event of capsize.

 

Arklow Lifeboat Operations Manager and RNLI Honorary Life Governor Jimmy Tyrell has campaigned for many years for an RNLI lifeboat class to be named after an Irish river.  Commenting on the announcement Jimmy said, “I am thrilled with the news, not just for myself but for everyone involved with the RNLI in Ireland.  It is recognition for all the hard work of our volunteer lifeboat crewmembers, fundraisers and staff in Ireland.  This has been a subject close to my heart for many years and I am delighted that it has been announced while I am still a volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager and heavily involved with the charity.   I am looking forward to seeing it on service at lifeboat stations in a couple of years.”

The Shannon will gradually replace the existing Mersey class lifeboat and will be the final step in enabling the RNLI to fulfil its operation commitment to ensure that all its operational lifeboats have a top speed of 25 knots.

Full sea trials will start later this year and the first operational Shannon class lifeboat is due to go on station in 2013.