Minister Jack Chambers turns sod on new €6.8m Coast Guard Station at Westport, Co. Mayo

Today, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers turned the sod for the new Irish Coast Guard Station at Westport, Co Mayo.

At the event, Minister Chambers said:

“I would like to acknowledge the role of the IRCG volunteers as I have seen first-hand the dedication, commitment and passion of these people. It is evident to me that this is alive and well in the Westport unit and it is essential our volunteers have state of the art facilities to undertake their essential, lifesaving work. Over the last twenty years the Westport unit has responded to many calls for help within its catchment area stretching form Killary Harbour to Mulranney in both their search function and their boat rescue function. Many people have been rescued in response to those calls and lives have been saved.

“The Department of Transport is responsible for the IRCG building programme and I would like to reinforce my commitment to the on-going construction and maintenance of Coast Guard stations to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose. This has been demonstrated by an investment of €6.8 million into this new station which will provide much improved facilities for the 24 volunteers who operate from the Westport unit as well as vehicle, boat and equipment storage.”

Minister O’Donovan said:

”I am delighted that works have commenced on site for the new Coast Guard Station at Westport, Co. Mayo. The OPW has worked very closely with Department of Transport and the Irish Coast Guard to bring the project to this important milestone. This purpose-built station will provide the unit and volunteers with modern accommodation and appropriate storage facilities. When works are complete, I have no doubt that the new Coast Guard station will assist the dedicated volunteers in delivering this invaluable service to the local community along the West Coast.”

The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-functional division within the Department of Transport whose role it is to provide maritime search and rescue, maritime casualty, and pollution response service. The IRCG, with almost 1000 volunteer members, is one of the State’s Principal Emergency Services along with An Garda Síochána, the Fire Service and Ambulance Service.