Coast Guard to take over Schull Lifeboat

AFTER two years of talks, it was announced this week that the Schull Inshore Lifeboat is to be assimilated into the Irish Coast Guard. 

From this month, the Schull Community Inshore Rescue Service (SCIRS), will become known officially as the Schull Coast Guard. 

This will initially be for a probationary period. 

The service will no longer operate as a charitable, voluntary-funded unit and, from now on, will function as a subscribed member unit of the Irish Coast Guard. 

The SCIRS began in 2005 at the instigation of Schull-based Sgt Ger Prendiville and was fully accredited in 2008 as part of the Community Rescue Boats Ireland, a nationwide group of independent voluntary rescue boats which are trained and administered by Irish Water Safety. 

Writing on their Facebook page this week, the Schull Community Inshore Rescue Service said that a planned reception to mark the occasion, and, also to honour and thank all of those who have volunteered, and contributed to the service over the years, would be announced in due course.