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Baltimore's RNLI celebrating a centenary of saving lives at sea

November 5th, 2019 11:55 AM

By Southern Star Team

RNLI Baltimore operations manager Tom Bushe with volunteer crew member Emma Lupton announcing the gala centenary ball at the West Cork Hotel on Saturday November 9th. (Photo: Petra Reimers)

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A centenary of saving lives off West Cork's coast is to be celebrated when volunteers, supporters, neighbouring RNLI branches and their lifeboat crews join forces to celebrate the many achievements of the RNLI Baltimore Lifeboat

A CENTENARY of saving lives off West Cork’s coast is to be celebrated when volunteers, supporters, neighbouring RNLI branches and their lifeboat crews join forces to celebrate the many achievements of the RNLI Baltimore Lifeboat. 

The organisers wish to extend a warm invitation to those who value this crucial service to join them at a black tie gala ball on Saturday November 9th at the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen. 

‘We are using the opportunity to meet up with those who have been helped by RNLI Baltimore, those who work tirelessly with us to make a difference and save lives, and those who have supported us financially or by offering their services over the years,’ said Tom Bushe, the RNLI Baltimore Lifeboats operations manager. 

It is estimated that the crews of Baltimore Lifeboats have, over the century, launched its service on at least 940 occasions, and brought 867 people to safety, including 280 lives saved.  ‘This is a celebration for all concerned,’ said Tom.

Baltimore Lifeboats currently includes the impressive Alan Massey, built at a cost of €300,000, and a new Atlantic 85 (8.5m rib) the Rita Daphne Smith, delivered in this centenary year. With the impressive refurbishment of the Lifeboat house completed in 2013, the station is a fully-functioning state-of-the-art facility, equipped to provide a fast, effective and trustworthy service to the islands, those who use the sea for leisure activities and the fisherman and commercial port users whose livelihoods depend on safe operations on the waters off the coast of West Cork.  

Tickets for the gala event cost €50 and are available from Bushe’s Bar, Baltimore. 

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