Full sea rescue functions for Malin

Malin Head Coast radio station in Co Donegal has become a full rescue co-ordination centre under a directive from the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey.

The station will be responsible for marine search and rescue from Slyne Head, Co Galway, to Inishowen, Co Donegal, and up to 200 miles out in the Atlantic. Control of search and rescue in the west/north-west has been moved to Malin from the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Dublin. Mr Fahey yesterday paid tribute to the Donegal station, which was established in the early 1800s as a Lloyds signal station, first using semaphore. The Minister also approved the formal name change of the Irish Marine Emergency Service to the Irish Coastguard.