Resources

Coast Guard Marine Co ordination.

The IRCG coordinates Search and Rescue (SAR) through its Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Dublin (located in Leeson Lane off Leeson Street) and Maritime Rescue subcenters (MRSC) at Malin Head, Co. Donegal and Valentia Island, Co. Kerry. Each MRCC or MRSC is responsible for SAR operations and the day to day running of its allocated Division.

Helicopter

The Coast guard Helicopter at Shannon is our main resource and a great benefit to the whole of the west coast of Ireland. 

SAR AgustaWestland AW189.

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 or 2
  • Capacity: Up to 19 passengers
  • Length: 17.60 m (57 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 5.06 m (16 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 53.3 m2 (574 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 8,300 kg (18,300 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 2,063 litres (2,569 L with belly tank)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric CT7-2E1 turboshaft engine , 1,492 kW (2,000 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 14.60 m (47 ft 11 in)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 313 km/h (194 mph, 169 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 267–278 km/h (166–173 mph, 144–150 kn)
  • Range: 370–907 km (230–490 mi, 200–430 nmi) 
  • Service ceiling: 3,000 m (10,000 ft)

Flank Stations

With 44 teams around the coast each coast guard unit has a team either side of them to assist if the need arises. These teams are referred to as Flank stations. In the case of the Killaloe unit our Flank stations are Doolin, Kilkee, and Ballybunion. We can call on these teams for assistance with manpower, vehicles, radios or any other relevant purpose. We can request these through (MRSC) at Valentia Island Coast guard Co-ordination center.

RNLI Lough Derg

The RNLI  have a Atlantic 85 – named after Atlantic College in Wales where these rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs) were first developed. 85 represents its length – nearly 8.5m.

SARDA (Search and Rescue Dog Association of Ireland)

SARDA Ireland is a voluntary emergency search and rescue organisation concerned with the training , assessment and deployment of air scenting search and rescue dogs to search for missing persons.     These dogs can cover huge areas efficiently and are especially effective where human sight is limited. Air scenting SAR dogs , or non-scent discriminating SAR dogs can work where other searchers have been or where other people have passed through. They do not require a scent article.They are trained to detect the presence of any human scent in the area.

Other Agencies

As the need arises other agencies such as The Navy (Including Divers), the Garda (Including Divers), Ambulance service and the Fire Service can be accessed.