The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Fenit lifeboat veteran greets chopper crew
ONE of the Fenit Lifeboat Service’s longest serving members was on hand to greet the Irish Coast Guard’s Shannon based Search and Rescue Helicopter into Fenit at the weekend.
On Sunday afternoon the Irish Coast Guard helicopter ‘Rescue 115’ held a training crew in Tralee bay with the volunteer members of the Fenit Lifeboat Service.
The Fenit crew took part in a variety of exercises including one dramatic drill which saw a member of the Fenit Crew scooped out of the water as the chopper hovered over Fenit Lighthouse.
Before the exercises took place the helicopter had landed at Fenit Soccer Pitch where the Fenit crew and the local community were able to get a close look at the impressive and imposing Sikorsky S-92.
Among the locals there to greet the pilots and crew of the Shannon helicopter was Danny Doyle who spent 16 years – from 1969 on – as the Fenit Lifeboat’s chief mechanic. A role he carried out with tremendous dedication.
The exercises were very nearly cancelled due to a very real drama that unfolded on Banna Beach.
Shortly before the Shannon helicopter was due to arrive the Fenit crew was launched to go to the assistance of two wind surfers who had gotten into difficulty. Thankfully the emergency situation came to a safe conclusion when both surfers made to safely to shore and the Fenit boat –which had just launched – returned to dock.
Fenit Lifeboat Station is looking for new members and anyone who thinks they might be suitable should log on to the service’s Facebook page for more details on how to get involved.