‘It is what we do’

Coast Guard members searching near Blacksod Lighthouse.

Anton McNulty

THE Officer-in-Charge of the Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit has vowed to continue to search for as long as it takes to recover the three missing crew members of Rescue 116.
For the past seven days, hundreds of volunteers have travelled to the Mullet peninsula to help in the search of the shoreline for debris from R116, which crashed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The Ballyglass Coast Guard have been joined by their colleagues in Achill, Westport, Cleggan and Killala, while colleagues of the missing pilots also joined the search taking place along the shoreline from the tip of Blacksod to Annagh Head.
There are currently two searches per day along the shoreline and debris found is logged and taken to the Air Accident Investigation Unit.
Michael Hurst, the Officer-in-Charge of the Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit, which is co-ordinating the onshore search, said it was a difficult time for all in the Coast Guard, but added that they will not stop until the three crew members are recovered.
“We are coming on a week now and while the weather is not good at times, this is what we do. When someone is in trouble we are there to help and we will leave no stone unturned until we ensure we get those three men back to their families.
“It is a difficult time for us all but in search and rescue we are all one family. They [helicopter crews] support us in the air and we support them on the ground. It has been frustrating [with the weather] but we will battle the elements and continue for as long as it takes,” he told The Mayo News.

Response
When the rescue mission for R116 was launched in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit along with the Achill and Ballyglass Lifeboats and local fishermen were on the scene to assist in the search.
The local community have also helped by providing food for the volunteers at Halla Naomh BhreandΡin in Eachléim and Michael described the response of the community as ‘phenomenal’.
“When there is an emergency, the community here always commit to do what they can to support us. They rally around to help because they know how important the work of the Coast Guard is. Everyone is in this together,” he said.
Local councillor Gerry Coyle, who was on the scene on the day of the tragedy, said that everyone takes the work of the Coast Guard for granted and tragedies like the loss of Rescue 116 only serve to illustrate the dangers associated with helping others.
One volunteer from Clare Island sailed to Blacksod Bay to take part in the search because of the great work of Coast Guard helicopters and the help they provide to his community.
“There have been three medical evacuations carried out by the Coast Guard from Clare Island in the past month. That is what they do for us and this is the least I can do for them,” he said.