Dispute between neighbouring clubs threatens lifeboat service

A POPULAR 10-mile stretch of coastline in Co Waterford may be left with no lifeboat service unless a bitter dispute between two lifeboat services is resolved.

The Bonmahon Inshore Lifeboat and Lifeguard club, which has serviced the many beauty spots from Stradbally to Dunabrattin Head for 19 years, yesterday announced its decision to cease operating from January 30.

Secretary of the club PJ O’Shea explained the decision followed “underhand moves” by the Dunabrattin Inshore Rescue to set up an inshore lifeboat five miles away at Boatstrand pier.

“There’s no need for a boat in Boatstrand, there’s no finance for it and we cover that area - it’s two nautical miles from us,” Mr O’Shea explained.

“In the long term we cannot afford to operate with another group fundraising across us, so we will cease on the 30th of the month at 12 noon.”

The Dunabrattin Inshore Rescue was set up following the deaths of two young men, Gerard Shannon and Eoin Barry, who drowned at Ballydwane Cove last June.

While a spokesperson for the group was not available to comment, it is understood the group have raised €16,000 to provide a lifeboat to service the Boatstrand area.

Attempts to resolve the groups’ differences ended without agreement after the Dunabrattin Inshore Rescue crew refused an offer to join up with the Bonmahon-based service.

“The only way to resolve this is for them to come in and talk sense,” Mr O’Shea said.

The Irish Coastguard Service said any withdrawal of “life-saving” services such as the Bonmahon Rescue Service was to be regretted.

“They have provided assistance to persons in difficulty at sea for almost 20 years and many lives have been saved by their dedication to duty,” a spokes-person said.

However, a spokesperson would not confirm whether or not it planned to mediate between the two parties.