FLOTILLA TRIBUTE TO RESCUE 116 CREW
THE MEMORIAL FLOTILLA TO SAIL ON CARLINGFORD LOUGH IN TRIBUTE
A ‘Memorial Flotilla’ is being held on Carlingford Lough on July 30th in honour of the crew of Coastguard Rescue 116.
The major event, which has been in the planning for a number of weeks has been confirmed for 3pm on the last Sunday in July.
A spokesperson for the Carlingford Marina explained there had been a lot of interest from mariners across the country.
‘All of us at Carlingford Marina are delighted and honoured to play a part in the upcoming Memorial Flotilla to pay homage to our lost heroes aboard Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 116.’
‘ There has been huge interest in the event over the last number of weeks, and at the moment there are over forty boats expected to take part. However - the event grows by the day, and if the weather allows – that number could be closer to 100 by the time the event comes around!’
‘We’re not at all surprised that there are so many people who want to get involved in this Memorial Flotilla.
This tragedy hit the sailing community of Carlingford Lough very hard, with so many local connections to those who were involved. You get the impression that everyone desperately wanted to do something to show their respects and appreciation for the crew – and this flotilla feels like the perfect way to do that.’
‘ The entire marine community of Carlingford Lough wish to pay tribute to Dara Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Smith, Paul Ormsby and Mark Duffy who paid the ultimate price in March 2017.
We are humbled by their sacrifice and while we know we can do nothing to help the families left behind, we want to do something to show our support,’ said the spokesperson.
Members of Kilkeel RNLI and Clogherhead RNLI will be in attendance, with their respective RNLI Rescue Boats joining the flotilla.
Greenore Coast Guard will also be in attendance and will be present in the flotilla. Other members and factions of the Irish Coast Guard, HM Coast Guard, RNLI and Irish Navy will be participating in the event with shore activities, both in Rostrevor and in Carlingford Marina.
‘For our own contribution, and to support the memorial – Carlingford Marina will not be charging for overnight berthage when the flotilla arrives back here that evening. Instead we are asking those taking part that they calculate their own berthage fees for that night, and donate that amount to the cause,’ the Marina confirmed.
The Flotilla is open for anyone to attend – whether they have access to a boat to take part on the water, or would like to come down to the marina that evening and meet the flotilla when it arrives back.
All boats must be registered for the event.
Registration is free - but organisers are required to ensure that all vessels participating have appropriate insurance, first aid access and flotation equipment.
To register your boat – please email the Event Director Sheila Fitzgerald at sheilafitz@me.com for a registration form. Forms are also available from CLYC, Carlingford Marina, Carlingford Sailing Club and Rostrevor Sailing Club.
If you have any specific requests of Carlingford Marina, please get in touch with Jonathan O’Connor Moneley – email: jonathan@carlingfordmarina.ie phone: +353 (0) 87 652 4820.
For further information and regular updates, please visit the event page at the following address www.facebook.com/R116TributeFlotilla.
Anyone who wishes to directly donate; should visit the dedicated Just Giving Page at this address - http://bit.ly/2u9HvAI