Friday 14th May 2010
Bantry Lifeboat Open Day – Saturday June 26th

Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association's annual open day is taking place on Saturday 26th June 2010.

Members of the Association will be on hand to show visitors around our facility, and show you the equipment worn and used by crews on board the lifeboat; also, search and rescue equipment; and specialist navigation and communications equipment. We'll also be giving you an opportunity to take a ride around the inner harbour on the St. Brendan - our 7.5m purpose built lifeboat.

There will also be plenty of information and advice available regarding safe conduct on or near the water and important information on how you can prevent accidents from happening and what you can do if you're unlucky enough to be involved in or see an accident on the water.

Information about how to join Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Assocation will also be availableon the day.

Friday 16th April 2010
West Cork Emergency Services Charity Cycle 2010

Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Associationis delighted to have been chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the West Cork Emergency Services Cycle this year. The Emergency Services Charity Cycle (www.westcorkemscycle.com) is now in its 7th year and to date has raised over €250,000 for various organisations. This year’s cycle will take place on Saturday July 10th. It begins in Skibbereen Fire Station, registration from 09.30 a.m. – Cycle begins at 11 a.m.All Cyclists are required to raise money for the various organisations – All food and refreshments are provided on the day. This is a fun cycle – not a race.

Click here to download poster

Friday 12th March 2010
BISRA Golf Fundraiser

BISRA's annual Golf Fundraiser will take place on the 20th & 21st of March at Glengarriff Club. We would like to thank Glengarriff Golf Club for hosting this event once again, and all the sponsors of this annual Golf Classic for their valuable continued support.

Monday February 1st 2010
Bantry Lifeboat AGM

The Annual General Meeting of Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association (Bantry Lifeboat) will be held in the Bantry Bay Hotel, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry at 8pm on ThursdayMarch 11th 2010. The Agenda will include the Treasurer's and Honorary Secretary's annual Reports, and the election of officers. Interested parties and members of the public are welcome to attend. Nominations for election/re-election of officers should be received in writing by the Secretary of the Association no later than March 6th, 2010.

Friday November 27th 2009
BISRA Carol Singing Evening

BISRA is delighted to announce that its popular Christmas Carol sing-along event takes place on Sunday 6th December at 8.00 pm. Enjoy Christmas carols as they always used to be in the splendid surroundings of Bantry House. Admission to the event is €10 for adults and €5 for children, including refreshments and carol sheet.

All proceeds to BISRA.

Thursday 13th August 2009
BISRA Flag Day Fundraiser

Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association will be holding their annual flag day collection on Friday 28th August in Bantry Town Centre. It has already been a busy year with a number of emergency call outs for search and rescue operations in the Bay, in addition to which we continue to train every Monday night from the Boat House at Railway Pier. Between equipment, maintenance, fuel, insurance etc. it costs between €20,000 - €25,000 per year to maintain the search and rescue service 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The majority of the funds are raised locally and we are hugely grateful for your continued support. For those that are interested in learning boat handling skills, navigations, first aid etc, we are always on the look out for new recruits. If you are interested, then please contact us at the boat house on a Monday evening from 7:30pm or call 027 53926.

Monday 10th August 2009
Be Safe On The Water This Summer

Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue have already been called out for a number of minor incidents this year, which along with some far more serious losses, have served to highlight the importance of taking a number of sensible precautions when playing on or near the water. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to help keep you safe during the rest of the summer whatever the weather!
West Cork's stretch of the Western Atlantic Seaboard is one of the worlds most beautiful stretches of coastline and there are numerous and wonderful ways to appreciate its brilliance. Whether you are walking or fishing on the shore or exploring coves, bays and islands, there are a number of important rules that you need to adhere to. The following are just a phew general points to be taken into consideration when taking part in activities on or near the water.

• Ideally, you should never venture out on or near the water on your own. In all cases somebody should be made aware of where you or your group are going, what your plans are and when and where you expect to return to. Much of the coastline is remote and difficult to access therefore mobile phones and sometimes even VHF radios may not work effectively.
• We are all aware that it is illegal to travel in a vehicle without a suitable seatbelt, you should also be aware that it is illegal to be on or near the water without an appropriate lifejacket. These are not expensive and are of vital assistance in an emergency. They should carry the CE mark and be suitable for the activity you are undertaking. Take advice if in doubt.
• Always check the weather forecast for the area using one or more of the many information sources available such as radio, internet, television etc. Where possible seek out some local knowledge of the area, there may be areas of coast that will be dangerous in certain weather conditions, areas that are cut off at high water, wrecks or shoals concealed below the surface, strong currents, rip tides etc.
• When going out on the water be sure that your craft is seaworthy and engines where appropriate are in excellent working order. You will require a basic level of equipment which should also be functioning properly. The nature of the activity that you are undertaking will dictate what type of equipment you will have. Items may include a VHF radio, in-date flares, current chart, first aid kit, tool kit, anchor, ropes etc. For more detailed information refer to the reference material at the end of this article.
• In the event that you need to call the emergency services there is a strict protocol that is required when using a VHF radio which you should familiarise yourself with on a regular basis. If you are reporting an incident that you have seen then dial either 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. You will be asked what your location is and the location and the nature of the incident that you are reporting. The accuracy of this information is vitally important so if you are unsure try to consult somebody locally when making the call.
• Whatever your interest in the water be it inland, onshore or off shore, there are a range of excellent courses designed to facilitate a safe and enjoyable time and it is therefore recommended that you seek out these courses. In addition, colleagues with similar interests can provide invaluable advice and guidance. Know your limitations.

If you are looking for more detailed information, we would be happy to answer any queries that you may have at info@bantrylifeboat.com, alternatively we would recommend that you consult the publications on www.safetyonthewater.ie. Local sailing clubs and water activity centres are also a good source of information in addition to local water sports clubs.

Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association are always keen to recruit new volunteers to work in the boat, assist with fundraising, maintenance or administration within the Association. In the mean time we wish you a safe passage and trust that you will continue to safely enjoy your water based activities.

Monday 16th March 2009
BISRA Golf Fundraiser

BISRA would like to thank Glengarriff Golf Club for hosting this event once again, and all the sponsors of this annual Golf Classic for their valuable continued support. Prizes this year were sponsored by Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners; O'Callaghan Leisure; Harbour Queen Ferries; Quills Woolen Mills; Marino Medical Centre and Bantry Glass & Glazing.

BISRA would also like to thank the many teams, both players and various team sponsors who took part

Monday February 2nd 2009
Ireland Fund Donation

The crew and committee of Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association (Bantry Lifeboat) would like to express their gratitude for the very generous donation of US$3,000 (€2,327) from the Ireland Fund. As the costs associated with running the lifeboat continue to increase, this donation, along with the many local donations that are received will go a long way to ensuring the continued operation of this voluntary life saving service.

Monday February 2nd 2009
Bantry Lifeboat AGM

The Annual General Meeting of Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association (Bantry Lifeboat) will be held in the Bantry Bay Hotel, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry at 8pm on Thursday February 26th 2009. The Agenda will include the Treasurer's and Honorary Secretary's annual Reports, and the election of officers for 2009. Interested parties and members of the public are welcome to attend. Nominations for election/re-election of officers should be received in writing by the Secretary of the Association no later than February 20th, 2009.

Friday November 21st 2008
Bantry Lifeboat Carol Singing at Bantry House

The festive season gets off to a musical start this year on Sunday December 7th in the Library of Bantry House, which will once again provide the most magnificent of settings for this annual BISRA carol singing event.

The key to the enduring popularity of this event, to which people turn out every year in rain, wind or snow, is audience participation; for this is not a carol service with a religious theme, nor is it a carol concert given by well-practiced musicians. No, this is a fireside sing-along, around the piano, in a particularly splendid drawing room. And all you need to join in is a willingness to take a deep breath and sing your socks off.

Why not join us again this year for what has become something of a Bantry Christmas tradition – and if you haven't made it to one yet, we'd love to see you this year for the first time.

Admission is €10 for adults, and €5 for children and seniors with all proceeds going to Bantry Lifeboat as usual. No tickets, just turn up and pay at the door!

Transport Minister Mr Noel Dempsey, TD, presented members of the Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association crew with Maritime Gallantry and Meritorious Service Awards in a special ceremony at Dublin Castle on October 1st.

Sergeant Oliver Goggin, Captain Shane Begley and Toby Campbell – all volunteer crew members of Bantry Lifeboat – received the awards in recognition of their special contribution to search and rescue operations in and around Bantry Bay in recent years. All of the remaining crew members will also be receiving awards for their life-saving services to the community.

A spokesman for Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association said "It is an honour for the crew to be receiving this recognition for the work that we do, and we are delighted and very proud of Oliver, Shane and Toby. The whole town can also take pride in the way that it continues to fund the work of Bantry Lifeboat so generously which enables our life-saving work to continue. However, these awards should also serve as a reminder of the risks that crews take every time they respond to an emergency. Their bravery deserves recognition from time to time."

Tuesday June 24th 2008
Bantry Lifeboat Open Day – Saturday June 28th

It's 21 years since the first Bantry Lifeboat took to the water and to celebrate our coming of age we're holding an open day on Saturday June 28th from 2 - 5pm.

Members of the Association will be on hand to show visitors around our search and rescue facility, and show you the protective clothing worn by crews on board the lifeboat; search and recovery equipment; and specialist navigation and communications equipment. We'll also be giving you an opportunity to take a ride around the inner bay on the St. Brendan - our 7m purpose built search and rescue lifeboat that was commissioned just last year (the only time we hope you'll ever ride in it!)

There will also be plenty of information and advice available regarding safe conduct on or near the water and important information on how you can prevent accidents from happening and what you can do if you're unlucky enough to be involved in or see an accident on the water.

Information about how to join Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Assocation will also be available if you would like to help us in this valuable work.

The Christmas and New Year Festivities are over for another year, but there's still one last chance to push the boat out (sorry about that one) before you settle back into the humdrum routine of normal life for the rest of 2008!

BISRA's fund-raising efforts for 2008 get under way with the popular annual Dinner Dance, which this year is being held on Friday 18th January at the West Lodge Hotel, Bantry. Tickets costing €25 can be bought from any member of the Committee, or from fast.net, Bridge Street, Bantry.

The dinner starts at 8.30 pm, and continues with dancing to the music of Colum Cronin, followed by a disco. All are welcome to what promises to be another enjoyable BISRA social event, including our famous not-to-be-missed "no lose" tombola with some great prizes to be won.

BISRA will be holding an open day on Saturday 30th June from 2pm to 5pm at the Boat House, Railway Pier, Bantry. All are welcome. The day will mark the official launch of the recently acquired MST 750 lifeboat, which bears the same name as its predecessor – St. Brendan.

Volunteer crew members will be on hand to show visitors around the Boat House where the lifeboats and other facilities available to the Lifeboat operation will be on display. Weather permitting, crew members will also be demonstrating boat handling and other life-saving skills in the Bay, and there will be an opportunity for children of all ages to take a ride around the Bay in the new boat.

"BISRA relies on the generosity of the public for most of its funding, and open days like these provide a valuable opportunity for the Association to demonstrate how that money is spent" said a BISRA spokesman. "We are looking forward to seeing as many people as possible on Saturday."

A spokesman for BISRA said "Open days like this provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to see how the money that is so generously donated to BISRA is put to use and we are looking forward to seeing as many people as possible on Saturday."

Bantry Harbour was the scene of a spectacular search and rescue exercise yesterday afternoon when Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association was joined by the Irish Naval Service, the Irish Coast Guard Search & Rescue helicopter, CASA aircraft and Cliff & Coastal Rescue Units, Castletownbere RNLI, Civil Defence, the HSE Ambulance Service and the Irish Rescue Dogs Association. The exercise was co-ordinated by the Irish Coast Guard as a public demonstration of the search and rescue facilities that are available in Ireland.

The afternoon began with a fly-past from the Search & Rescue helicopter and the CASA aircraft, and was followed by a series of simulated rescue operations in the inner bay area. Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association played a prominent part in the event, and carried out the first exercise involving the recovery of an exhausted canoeist from his overturned kayak, who was then taken by stretcher to the Railway Pier where the HSE ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital. The simulation showed the entire process from launch of the lifeboat to recovery by the ambulance, with the VHF radio messages being relayed over a public address system to an audience of several hundreds who had gathered on both piers and along the Abbey Road to view the spectacle.

A man overboard emergency was then simulated with the victim recovered by Castletownbere RNLI, who was then winched aboard the rescue helicopter for rapid transfer to hospital. Meanwhile Cliff & Coastal units from Castletownbere and Goleen demonstrated the rescue by stretcher from shore to cliff top of a fallen climber.

A fire on board a fishing vessel required the services of the CASA aircraft which dropped a liferaft to the crew who had abandoned their vessel, and who were then recovered by Castletownbere RNLI. Their burning vessel was attended to by a fire-fighting team from the Naval Service vessel Roisín which had been at anchor in the Bay throughout the day.

A second exercise involving BISRA saw the rescue of an exhausted wind-surfer to the St. Brendan with the casualty being recovered to the Railway Pier where a doctor was in attendance.

After all the exercises had been completed, there was a unique opportunity for the public to take photographs of all the vessels and aircraft that had taken part, as they lined up alongside the pier for a rare photo-shoot opportunity.

At a reception following the exercise, acting Director of the Irish Coast Guard, Norman Fulham, praised the professionalism of all the rescue services who had taken part, adding that the event had been a great success which had helped to raise the profile of the marine emergency services and demonstrated the degree of co-ordination that exists between all of the different emergency services when dealing with marine emergencies.

BISRA is pleased to announce the launch of its brand new lifeboat – the first new craft ever to have been owned and operated by the Association. The boat was launched on December 18th, following extensive sea trials over the previous weekend. BISRA has been raising funds throughout 2006 to replace the previous boat – an Atlantic 21 – which has seen five years service with the Association, and a further 20 years with the RNLI before BISRA acquired it.

The new boat – an MST 750 Rescue boat – has been purpose-built to BISRA's own specification at a cost of €140,000, and incorporates the latest safety and navigation technology, ensuring that Bantry is in a position to provide the best possible assistance to anyone who finds themselves in difficulty in the waters of Bantry Bay.

BISRA would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have so generously contributed to the fund-raising effort. Although the new boat is in service as of yesterday, fund-raising is continuing and it is hoped that the Association will once again be debt-free some time in 2007.

Monday 11th December 2006
Bantry Kids Steal the Show at BISRA Carol Singing Evening

The festive season got off to a musical start last night in the Library of Bantry House, which once again provided the most magnificent of settings for the annual BISRA carol singing event. Over 150 people, young and old, turned out in the most unseasonable weather imaginable, to join in what has become something of a Bantry Christmas tradition.

The children stole the show when they took to the stage to sing "Away in a Manger" and "Little Donkey", and there were some fine performances from St.Finbarr's Church Choir, whilst the most moving moment was provided by the crews of the Bantry Lifeboat with their rendition of Phil Coulter's tribute to the Lifeboat services, "Home from the Sea".

However, the key to the enduring popularity of this event is audience participation; for this is not a carol service with a religious theme, nor is it a carol concert given by well-practised musicians. No, this is a fireside sing-along, around the piano, in a particularly splendid drawing room, and all you need to join in is a willingness to take a deep breath and sing your socks off. If you haven't made it to one of these evenings yet, make a note in your diary now for next year!

In his annual tribute to the people of Bantry who so generously support the work of BISRA, Honorary Secretary Captain Trevor Hughes took the opportunity to announce that the new lifeboat for which BISRA has been raising funds throughout much of 2006, has now arrived in Bantry and is expected to go into service before the end of the year. The new boat has been purpose-built to BISRA's own specification, and is the first brand new boat to be acquired by the Association. At a cost of €140,000 it represents a major investment for BISRA and the town, and BISRA is well on its way to achieving its fund-raising target for this, and last night's event raised a further €1350 to add to the total. During 2006, the Bantry Lifeboat "St. Brendan" has responded to a total of seven emergencies and helped save five lives.

Special thanks are due to Egerton Shellswell White for providing such a superb venue, to Roisín Mulcahy for leading the singing and to Gerard O'Sullivan for his piano accompaniment - but most of all, to the people of Bantry and their children, for turning up and making this a really special, family Christmas affair.

BISRA would like to take this opportunity to extend its best wishes to all readers for a happy, prosperous and safe new year. Our next event is the annual Dinner and Dance in the West Lodge Hotel, Bantry, on Friday 26th January 2007, to which all are cordially invited. Tickets are available from any member of the Committee, or from fast.net, Bridge Street, Bantry.

Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D, Marine Minister at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, met with BISRA Honorary Secretary Captain Trevor Hughes, Chairman Dr. Matt Murphy, and Press & PR Officer Chris O'Shea today during a visit to the South West. The Minister was shown round the BISRA Boathouse where he inspected the recently completed building work and praised what he described as "the fantastic voluntary contribution made by Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue". When asked about the number of emergency call-outs that the Bantry Lifeboat has responded to, Captain Hughes replied that using the criteria employed by the RNLI and other emergency organisations, BISRA has saved over 35 lives since it was established in 1987.

Whilst the majority of BISRA's funding is raised from the contributions of local people, the Association does receive a small annual grant from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, and it was therefore appropriate for the Minister to visit and see how government money is spent. He was impressed by the standard of facilities offered by BISRA, particularly the extensions to the original boathouse which provides a purpose-built control room and crew changing facilities, all of which, Captain Hughes explained, had been built using direct labour and the voluntary services of BISRA members, which enabled a first class facility to be provided at a fraction of the cost of using a building contractor.

At the end of his short visit, the Minister commented that the safety of people using the waters around Bantry Bay was in capable hands and congratulated BISRA for its continuing efforts to promote water safety and save lives.

BISRA's fund-raising efforts for 2005 get under way with the popular annual dinner and dance, which this year is being held on Friday 14th January at the West Lodge Hotel, Bantry. Tickets are on sale from members of the Committee, or from fast.net, New Street, Bantry, priced at €20. A spokesman for BISRA said "We appreciate that there have been extra demands on the people of Bantry in the form of fund-raising for a number of other very worth-while causes in recent weeks, but we hope that people will continue to support the work of the Lifeboat which, like any other organisation, needs to maintain a positive cash-flow to survive."

The dinner starts at 8.30 pm, and continues with dancing to "Jamboree", followed by a disco. All are welcome to what promises to be another enjoyable BISRA social event.