Belmullet Lifeboat

RNLI look to raise €400,000 for Belmullet Lifeboat

Anton McNulty

A FUND-RAISING appeal has been launched by the Ballyglass/Belmullet station of the RNLI to raise €400,000 towards the costs of funding a permanent inshore lifeboat station to house the 16-foot D-Class inshore lifeboat and launching vehicle.
For the last year, an inflatable RIB has been housed at a temporary site close to the canal in Belmullet, after an approach was made by local residents for an inshore lifeboat following the tragic drowning of two young children in Blacksod Bay five years ago. The lifeboat was temporarily stationed in Belmullet on a one-year evaluation period before the RNLI decided to station it permanently in the area.
Mr Eddie Diver of the Ballyglass Lifeboat said the appeal will probably run over three years and this year’s major fund-raising project is the raffle of a new Chevrolet Aveo worth over €16,000. Eddie said there will be further fund-raising appeals over the coming months and they were looking for sponsorship to contribute to the appeal.
The D-Class inshore lifeboat has been described as the ‘workhorse’ of the RNLI for the last 40 years. It is a single outboard engine capable of 25 knots and is ideal for rescues close to the shore in fair and moderate conditions.
Eddie explained that the lifeboat will be ideal as the first and quick response along the coast of  Blacksod Bay and can travel in depths of water as low as two feet. He said it has a mobile launching rig capable of deployment to various launching and recovery sites within the area. He added that before the inshore lifeboat arrived, the Ballyglass Lifeboat spent a lot of time travelling around Erris Head to get to Blacksod Bay.
“The inshore lifeboat was greatly needed for the area and the RNLI have recognised that, because they do not waste money on something that is not needed. Last year when the dolphins were stranded on the shore, the inshore lifeboat was used when they were lifted onto the boat and carried out. It was also called out when surfers got into trouble near the islands and it will be ideal for helping swimmers who may be brought out to sea,” he said.
Eddie is no stranger to fund-raising for the RNLI, having been the Chairperson of the Ballyglass fund-raising committee for the past ten years. Last week, his work was awarded when he received a silver badge, and his colleague, Joe Murray, received a bronze medal for their work in the RNLI.
“I was delighted with the honour,” said Eddie. “You don’t do the work to get rewards but it is nice to be honoured. Last year we raised €45,000 and we hope to increase on that figure this year. The people of Erris have been very generous over the years because we are surrounded by sea and they can relate to the service.”