Marinewatch gets new thermal imaging camera
WEXFORD Marinewatch has acquired a state-of-the-art ‘FLIR Thermal Imaging camera’ for use by its volunteers in Wexford Harbour, and one of the first things it picked up was a rat scurrying under a parked car in the darkness on the Quay.
‘ The purchase of the highly specialised camera was made possible by the generosity of Wexford Chamber of Commerce and those in attendance at the recent Wexford Business Awards,’ said Marinewatch.
‘ This unique camera turns night time into day – allowing our volunteers to effectively see in the dark. Heat sources can be set to show up as black and red,’ said Marinewatch founder member Frank Flanagan.
A video demonstration fo the new camera, filmed in pitch darkness, shows heat emitting from buildings and from trawlers on the Quay, with their generators running, along with objects on the water such as mooring buoys and even shows a rat under a car at the end of the clip.
Apart from the fire service and the Rescue 117 Helicopter, Wexford Marinewatch is currently the only organisation in County Wexford to have such a device.
Mr Flanagan said it will now prove invaluable in a search or locating someone who has entered the water in darkness.
‘Being able to now pinpoint their location quickly and accurately, will undoubtedly save lives – so a big thank you to the Chamber members for their contributions,’ he said. The warmer the person or object, the easier they are to spot with one of these devices.
If you ever see anyone entering the water, dial 999/112 and ask for the Coastguard immediately (not the Gardai). This will ensure the correct rescue personnel and equipment is deployed first – such as the RNLI and helicopter, followed afterwards by the Gardai and ambulance. The longer you leave it and the longer the person is in the water, their bodyheat will drop rapidly – making it extremely difficult to pick up on the FLIR.