Air surveillance for pollution control will become part of the new coastguard structure, according to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.
The Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) is investigating the use of one aircraft to fulfil the State's obligations under new oil pollution legislation. Ideally, the service should be provided by an Air Corps Casa maritime patrol aircraft, but it may have to be contracted out due to the shortage of Air Corps crews.
Yesterday, Dr Woods, who watched an IMES national search and rescue demonstration in Kinsale Harbour, Co Cork, said his officials were already examining the provision of emergency towage facilities to meet the new international counter-pollution commitments. One multi-purpose vessel for anchor handling and salvage may be purchased, and a second may be part-purchased with Britain.
A trawler fire, a yacht in difficulties, a canoeist in trouble and a man caught under a rigid inflatable were some of the emergency situations staged in Kinsale during yesterday's demonstration, which involved the Naval Service patrol vessel LE Ciara and diving team, the Air Corps Dauphin, the IMES Sikorsky helicopter, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and IMES coast and cliff rescue units from the Old Head of Kinsale, Summercove and Oysterhaven, Co Cork.
Also participating were National Safety Council-approved lifeguards, the Garda Siochana and Civil Defence.
Among the equipment was the old breeches buoy gear, which dates back to the last century and has proved to be invaluable in situations which a helicopter and lifeboat cannot reach. In one such situation 13 Spanish fishermen were rescued by the local coast and cliff rescue unit after their vessel, The Big Cat, was grounded off Valentia.
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources has pledged to initiate legislation which will transform the existing IMES into a national coastguard agency by the end of the year. The IMES currently comprises 600 volunteers attached to 50 area units around the coastline.
Earlier in the day, the contribution made by a "distinguished son of Cork and dedicated servant to the country" was recalled when Dr Woods named the new £1 million pier at Crosshaven, Co Cork, after one of his predecessors, the late Hugh Coveney, who died after an accident off Robert's Cove, Kinsale, just over two months ago.
Mr Frank Boland, chairman of the Port of Cork Company, described how he had been persuaded by the late TD two years ago to support the project, which would improve facilities for local fishermen.
The occasion was marked by a Naval Service guard of honour and the Army band of the Southern Command. Among the guests present was Mrs Pauline Coveney, her sons, Patrick, Simon and David; the Minister for Education, Mr al Martin; the Naval Service flag officer, Commander John Kavanagh, and Commander Rory Costello; the Garda Chief Superintendent, Cork Division, Mr Adrian Culligan; and Mr John Mulvihill, chairman of Cork County Council.
