Search & Recovery

The club has an active Search and Recovery Unit which is a great asset to the people of Roscommon. The unit is totally voluntary responding to requests from statutory bodies and local communities to assist in search and recovery operations all over the county and in neighbouring counties, most recently in Galway and Mayo.

Over the years, members have been called upon on many times to assist in search and recovery missions. It is funded mainly by annual church gate collections and other county wide fundraising events.

The support of the people of Roscommon is invaluable to the provision of this service.

In addition to their existing diving experience, each member of the Search & Recovery Unit is specially trained for search and recovery missions.

The team perform regular training exercises as it’s crucial to work as a cohesive unit. On a typical search operation, there are several roles that need to be performed:

• Coordinator;
• Shore marshals;
• Coxswains & boat crews;
• Snorkelers;
• Divers.

The unit has helped to recover many drowning victims soon after their disappearance. This prompt action has been of enormous help to the families of the bereaved. Roscommon county has approximately 120 lakes and is an integral part of the Shannon Waterways System which covers the eastern border of the county.

Lough Allen, Lough Gara, Lough Key and Lough Ree are just a few of the larger local lakes which are very popular recreational areas. As these areas are increasingly being used, the number of drowning accidents and incidents has, unfortunately, also increased.

As part of a co-ordinated team, working with the Coastguard, the Garda Sub Aqua Unit and other local Search and Recovery entities, the Roscommon Search and Recovery Unit takes a very active part in the many Search and Recovery incidents in the area.

As a result of its work Roscommon Search and Recovery Unit proudly accepted the overall People of the Year Award for Roscommon in 1994. Following a very busy and trying year the members of the Search and Recovery Unit were delighted that their voluntary work had been recognised and rewarded.

The unit also assists in a variety of other boating accidents and incidents. The divers have helped to recover personal belongings lost from boats, and assisted in the recovery of sunken boats and those in distress on the nearby waterways. The voluntary team of divers have also provided boat cover for local triathlons at Athlone and Portrun.

As one of the more enjoyable activities it has been called on to perform the members have even escorted all the ducks in the Castlecoote duck race to the finishing line, thus helping in the local Tidy Towns fundraising activities.