An Inter Agency Search & Rescue exercise took place at Youghal Harbour on Sunday 17th August as part of the Youghal Food and Mackerel festival, Co. Cork. This is the fourth year of this three day festival of music, entertainment, food and fishing.
Video report and Video Gallery below
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This is the first year however that an inter agency exercise was held in conjunction with the popular festival. It involved the Irish Coast Guard from Crosshaven and Youghal, the Coast Guards Rescue Helicopter from Waterford, the Youghal and Ballycotton RNLI Crews, the Order of Malta, the Search and Rescue Dog Association and local fishermen.
The main purpose of the exercise was to promote safety on the water, and it was also an opportunity for the inter agencies to test their working relationship skills.
There were three separate simulated operations:
- Simulated local fishing boat in difficulty. The occupant of which were winched by helicopter.
- Simulated kayaker in difficulty, to be rescued by local Inland Lifeboat and
- Casualties brought ashore by RNLI and handed over to Coast Guard where they were treated before being handover to Order of Malta ambulance.
Speaking to Emergency Times, Secretary of the Youghal Food and Mackerel festival, Helen Grange said the whole event was fantastic and said it was great to see so close what the services do and how they operate. The festival committee is looking to have a similar exercise again next year.
The main organisers of the exercise were Youghal Coast Guard, with assistance from Waterford and Dublin. The Marine Rescue Sub Centres in Valentia and Dublin were aware and monitoring the event, while the Coast Guards Operations Manager Declan Geoghagan and Divisional Conroller Ger Hegarty was also in attendance throughout.
Local Coast Guard teams and the Helicopter were available for call-outs at all times during the exercise.
To view more pictures and videos of this event, go to the facebook page: ‘Emergency Services Cork’ and our thanks to Padraig Barret in Cork for the images and videos.
