HM Queen Elizabeth II meets Castletownbere lifeboat crew today

Her Majesty The Queen, patron of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, was in Poole, Dorset with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to formally open the charity’s new Lifeboat College, a purpose-built residential centre, which will deliver cost-effective, high quality individual training to lifeboat crews and other volunteers.

HM Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh boarded Castletownbere’s new Severn class lifeboat at 3.30pm to depart the Lifeboat College.

The Castletownbere lifeboat volunteers on board included Coxswain Brian O’Driscoll, Station Mechanic Brendan Gonnelly and Crewmembers Michael Martin, Paul Stevens, Patrick O’Connor, along with Crewman Paul Ironside of the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat.

The Castletownbere volunteers were undergoing their final week’s training with their new station lifeboat prior to bringing her to Castletownbere this weekend (expected time of arrival Mon 2 August at 4pm).

Commenting on the day, Coxswain Brian O’Driscoll said:

‘It was an honour to welcome Her Majesty The Queen on board our new all weather lifeboat. We were all delighted and proud to have the opportunity to play such an active role on this historic day.’

END

The Lifeboat College

4,600 lifeboat crew, 90% of whom come from non-maritime backgrounds can expect to receive progressive, specialist training at the waterfront college during their service which will prepare them for rescues in the most difficult and dangerous conditions.

The College’s own Sea Survival Centre has a lifeboat wheelhouse simulator and a wave tank where volunteers can be taught survival techniques including capsize recovery.

Facilities at the College include an auditorium, classrooms, and 60 bedrooms – allowing crew members to stay on site and therefore save the charity over €1.5million a year in accommodation costs. The RNLI depends on voluntary contributions from the public to continue its sea rescue service. By complementing vital local training, The Lifeboat College will help the RNLI save more lives at sea.

Notes to the editors:
1. Photos attached.
2. Background information on lifeboat crew members on board

Castletownbere Lifeboat Station

Coxswain Brian O’Driscoll
Brian comes from a family with a strong lifeboat tradition. His mother Sheila was awarded the RNLI Gold Badge in 2002 and was a strong supporter and tireless campaigner for the establishment of an RNLI lifeboat in Castletownbere. Brian was appointed coxswain of Castletownbere Lifeboat in 2000. He is married to Caroline, with a young family.

2nd Coxswain Michael Martin-Sullivan
Michael is a full-time fisherman who has been involved with Castletownbere lifeboat station since it was established. Married to Mary, he has a grown up family of four - one of whom is also a volunteer crew member on the Castletownbere Lifeboat.

Deputy 2nd Coxswain Paul Stevens
Paul has been a member of the Castletownbere lifeboat crew since establishment too and was appointed Deputy 2nd Coxswain this year.  Principal of Beara national school ‘by day’, Paul is also the station’s lifeboat press officer. Paul is married to Linda and they have two daughters.

Lifeboat Mechanic Brendan Gonnelly
Brendan is the RNLI lifeboat mechanic at Castletownbere since the station was established. He has been undergoing specialist training on the Severn lifeboat class in preparation for the new station lifeboat.
Brendan is married to Kathleen with a grown up family of three. He is a keen fisherman, time permitting.

Lifeboat Crew Patrick O’Connor
Patrick has been a lifeboat crew member since the station first opened.
He was appointed Emergency Mechanic in 1998 and in 2001 was appointed 3rd Mechanic. Patrick is Vice Principal of Castletownbere Community School. Married to Maria, he has a grown up family of three.

Rosslare Harbour lifeboat station

Lifeboat Crew Paul Ironside
Paul is attending the Severn class training course this week also, although Rosslare Harbour’s station Severn arrived on station earlier this Summer. eck crew with Irish Ferries on the Rosslare/Pembroke route, Paul is married to Aileen with a grown up family. aul has been a member of the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat crew since 1975. His son Andrew is carrying on the tradition by being an active lifeboat crew volunteer at Rosslare also.

For more information contact:

Claire Brennan, RNLI press office, Ireland on tel: 01 284 5050, mobile: 087 2208 505; or

Castletownbere Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tony O'Sullivan mobile: 087- 224 6369