Irish Coast Guard

Irish Coast Guard
Garda Cósta na hÉireann
Agency overview
Formed 1822
Jurisdiction Ireland
Headquarters Leeson Lane, Dublin 2
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • Chris Reynolds, Director
Website
An IRCG Sikorsky S-92 (RESCUE118, EI-ICA) in Galway in September 2013

The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) (Irish: Garda Cósta na hÉireann) is part of the Department of Transport. The Irish Search and Rescue Region,[1] which includes most of the Republic of Ireland and some parts of Northern Ireland is the area over which the Coast Guard has responsibility.[2] This area is bordered by the UK Search and Rescue Region.

Status and role

Vehicles and base of the Greystones IRCG unit

Unlike the model used in some other countries, the coast guard in Ireland is not part of the Irish Defence Forces. It does however call on their assistance through the use of its Air Corps and Naval assets. It operates as a Division of the Department of Transport under the Maritime Safety Directorate. Together with the Mercantile Marine Office, the Maritime Safety Directorate comprises two main sections, the Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Division (MSED) and the Marine Survey Office (MSO):

While in some jurisdictions they are the responsibility of the Coast Guard, in Ireland, fisheries patrols are carried out by the Irish Air Corps and Irish Naval Service and drug smuggling patrols by the Irish Air Corps, Customs, Gardaí and the Naval Service. (However, all the above government services can at any time request assistance from each other when needed.) Irish Coast Guard personnel are forbidden from carrying any type of weapons and have no security or defence duties in respect of national police or defence.

The coast guard is however responsible for:

Note that not all Irish Coast Guards have enforcement powers – only some officers under warrant.

History

The coast guard was first formed in Ireland in 1822, while the island was a constituent part of the United Kingdom. During this period it played revenue protection and coastal defence roles, as well as forming part of the naval reserve. In 1923, following the formation of the Irish Free State, the Coast Lifesaving Service (CLSS) was established. This was later renamed the Coast and Cliff Rescue Service (CCRS), before becoming known as the Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) in 1991, and finally being renamed as the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) in 2000.

The Irish Coast Guard and Blacksod Lighthouse were commemorated on the 70th anniversary of D-Day (the allied invasion of Normandy). Irish Coast Guardsman and lighthouse keeper Ted Sweeney was credited with ensuring the success of the invasion.[3] His weather report from the Coast Guard station convinced General Dwight D Eisenhower to delay the D-Day invasion for 24 hours.[4] In spite of observations taken at various locations by Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and United States Army Air Force meteorologists, Blacksod's was the first land-based observation station in Europe where weather readings could be professionally taken on the prevailing European Atlantic westerly weather systems. While remaining a neutral government during World War II, Ireland continued to supply weather reports to Britain under an agreement in place since Independence.[5] D-Day was scheduled to commence on June 5, 1944, but Sweeney's report of two cold fronts approaching Ireland in quick succession caused Eisenhower to delay the invasion until June 6, 1944 when weather conditions were more favorable.[6]

Equipment

EI-ICG (RESCUE115) at UCH Galway on 1 July 2012 after its first SAROP/RESCUE
RESCUE118, EI-ICA, Sikorsky S92, Irish Coast Guard, at UCH Galway, 24 September 2013

The IRCG operate a number of contracted Sikorsky Search and Rescue helicopters from bases in Dublin (RESCUE116), Waterford (RESCUE117), Shannon (RESCUE115) and Sligo (RESCUE118).

IRCG helicopters are all contracted from CHC Helicopter and include two types of Sikorsky aircraft. This contract remains controversial and costs the state €50 million per year.[7] A similar SAR contract involving CHC was cancelled in the UK in 2012 as a result of alleged 'irregularities'.[8]

Under the €500 million contract from 2010, the previous fleet of Sikorsky S-61N helicopters were replaced with five newer Sikorsky S-92 helicopters.[7][9] One of the new S-92 helicopters is located at each of the four IRCG bases, with one spare replacement aircraft being rotated between bases[10] (but focused at either Shannon or Waterford as these hangars are large enough to house two Sikorsky S-92 aircraft).

The first operational S-92 helicopter was delivered to the Irish Coast Guard in January 2012 and given the registration EI-ICG.[11] After a period of training and pilot conversion (from the S-61N type), this helicopter was given call-sign "RESCUE115" and replaced the S-61N that was previously based at Shannon.[12] EI-ICG carried out its first SAROP/RESCUE on its first operational day in July 2012, when it brought a casualty to University College Hospital Galway.

The five S-92's have registrations EI-ICG, EI-ICU, EI-ICA, EI-ICR, EI-ICD – with the last letter of each registration spelling out "GUARD".[13] As of October 2013, all the S-92s are in Ireland, with EI-ICU operating as the duty helicopter at Sligo as "RESCUE118",[14] EI-ICR in Waterford as "RESCUE117",[15][16] EI-ICD "RESCUE115" based at Shannon,[15][16] and EI-ICA and EI-ICG operating in Dublin (possibly for conversion training).

While EI-ICG was delivered as "factory new" from Sikorsky in the US,[10] the other S-92 aircraft are ex-UK Coastguard equipment.[13] As of July 2013, the final S-92 aircraft, with registration EI-ICD, was reportedly undergoing repainting and fitting at Shannon. However as of October 2013 two of the S-92 aircraft (EI-ICD and EI-ICU) remain in the "retro" livery of the UK Coastguard – but sporting their Irish registrations.

The IRCG also operate a number of rescue boats and rigid inflatable boats from coastal stations around Ireland.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Marine Search and Rescue Region (IMSRR)". Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  2. ↑ The Marine Search and Rescue Region, Department of Transport. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  3. ↑ McCabe, Joe (1 June 2014). "How Blacksod lighthouse changed the course of the Second World War A weather forecast from a station in Co Mayo saved the D-Day invasion from potential disaster". Irish Independent (Irish Independent). Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Eisenhower, Dwight D. "D-Day Mem to General Marshall". National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  5. ↑ Walsh, Jane (2 June 2014). "How weather forecast from Mayo lighthouse saved D-Day invasion". Irish Central (Irish Centralm LLC). Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  6. ↑ McCarthy, Dan (6 June 2014). "The Irishman who gave the D-Day go-ahead". Irish Examiner (Irish Examiner Ltd,). Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  7. 1 2 Lorna Siggins (17 June 2013). "Irish Coast Guard search and rescue fleet renewal extended". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Angus Stickler (8 June 2012). "Corporate Watch - Search and rescue helicopter contracts awarded despite police probe". The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
  9. ↑ "New Irish Search and Rescue Contract Signed". 20 September 2010. CHC Helicopter. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  10. 1 2 "New Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters arrive into Shannon". The Clare Herald. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  11. ↑ "Department of Transport Press Release – Irish Coast Guard Takes New Sikorsky S-92 On Board" (PDF). Department of Transport. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
  12. ↑ Greg Harkin (14 August 2013). "Woman pilots make Coast Guard history". Independent.ie. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  13. 1 2 "CHC celebrates delivery of new IRCG helicopter but loses part of its UK contract". Flying in Ireland Magazine. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  14. ↑ "Sligo Airport - Search & Rescue - Irish Coast Guard". Sligo Airport Website. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  15. 1 2 "All female Search and Rescue Helicopter crew". Southern Star. August 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter Service - New Arrival to the Fleet". Munster Fire and Rescue. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

External links

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