Rescuers need to trust their instincts

Lives have been lost in the course of duty with the Coast Guard, including that of the Mayo diver Michael Heffernan, who died during a rescue in October, 1997, and those of the four Air Corps crew who died in the Dauphin helicopter crash at Tramore, Co Waterford, in July, 1999.

Capt Kirwan vividly remembers one incident that could have proved fatal. It was December 1993 and three Spanish fishing vessels had got into difficulties off the west coast. Two of them - Irish-registered and owned by the Spanish-Irish company Eiranova of Castletownbere, Co Cork - had put out in the face of a severe weather alert.

One of the two, the Dunboy, lost all power 40 miles west of Slyne Head, Co Galway, and the Shannon-based Sikorsky was dispatched to rescue all 13 crew. Piloted by Capt Nick Gribble, the helicopter arrived on the scene in mountainous seas and total darkness. John McDermott, the winchman, was lowered on to the vessel. He assisted five crew to safety and was preparing for a sixth lift when the wire became entangled in the vessel's rigging. It then flew up to the helicopter and struck the blades.

McDermott saw the helicopter dive and it looked as if it was going to have to ditch. However, Capt Gribble managed to stabilise it and was able to fly to Galway Airport with the five survivors.

Capt Kirwan was in MRCC at the time, and remembers that he called the RAF to assist in the early stages of the response. "There didn't seem to be any great need, but when the Sikorsky almost ditched, the RAF was landing in Shannon and the Air Corps from Finner was en route."

The Air Corps Dauphin made three attempts to get a line to the vessel, but it was so dangerous that McDermott waved it away. When the RAF arrived, the vessel was out of danger, and the skipper was happy to remain on board with the rest of the crew. McDermott was evacuated. He and his pilot and crew were subsequently decorated for the service.

"It just shows how you do have to trust your instinct sometimes," Capt Kirwan says. "That incident shows why there can be no boundaries. It demonstrates the spirit of search-and-rescue at its best."