Last Monday the Coast Guard helicopter came to visit and landed in the GAA pitch. 3rd and 4th class went down to meet them and got plenty of information about their very important work.
This was followed by a visit to the Coast Guard Station in Oysterhaven.
The Coast Guard Unit at Oysterhaven is part of a network of 52 Units based at strategic locations around the coast which are operated by volunteers both male and female. The units have a capability and range of equipment depending on location, which includes radio communications, cliff equipment, rescue boats and vehicles.
There are 16 volunteers in the Unit and the Area Officer (AO) is Martin Collins and the Deputy Area Officer is Thomas Gleasure.
The Manager of the Coast Guard Volunteer Units is Norman Fullam, Voluntary Services and Training Manager.
The Coast Guard Unit at Oysterhaven was founded in 1867. The Coast Lifesaving Service (CLSS) was established in 1923 when the duties formerly performed by Her Majestys Coastguard (HMCG) were taken over by Saorstat Eireann.The New Station House is on the site of, and incorporates the old facility, a rocket-cart shed dating back to the 19th century. The original building housed the horse drawn cart which was equipped with life belts attached to rockets which were brought to the seashore and fired out to sea using navigational equipment to the scene of an emergency. As time and technology advanced the rocket cart was replaced by the motorised van and radio equipment was introduced for immediate communication between the rescue team(s) and those manning the station.
The new building provides a garage and the store room on the ground floor and the Operations Room on the first floor from which weather and sea conditions can be evaluated. Materials are in keeping with local traditions: plastered walls with painted white finish, natural slated roof, timber doors and windows. Internally the building is modern, bright and full of natural light. Nautical detailing has been used on the open tread stairway and on the doors.
