The sea provides scope for a diversity of interests. But the fact that people are members of the same yacht, boat, or vessel-restoration organisations does not mean they hold exactly common values or ideals.
It is for this reason that Sean Whiston, who died recently, will be long remembered for his ability to unite many different interests for the good of the various organisations which he served during his 66 years.
The list is extensive. From the age of 12, when he joined 1st Port, Ringsend Sea Scouts, until his last years, he helped the organisation to strengthen yearly. And, remarkably, he put the same enthusiasm into St Patrick's Rowing Club in Dublin, where he was active in earlier years; into Clontarf Yacht Club in his own locality; as a life member of the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club; as chairman for many years of the Liffey Riverside Amenity Group; and as a member of the Irish Sailing Association's cruising committee.
Despite all this, Sean was frequently seen on O'Connell Bridge in Dublin collecting for the RNLI on flag days. Yet he did more for sea safety than that. As commodore five times of the Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club, he maintained a rigorous policy on sea safety, with training provided for youngsters at Poolbeg.
If that was all, he would warrant the many tributes paid to him, since he left us, from his sailing friends and from his former work colleagues in SIPTU. But Sean also loved the culture of the sea, and with his lifelong friends Bob Donaldson and Jackie Keogh, he restored and beautifully maintained the Tyrrell-built ketch Tjaldur and sailed it to distant ports, often crewed by sea scouts. In the hands of its first owner, the 38-foot Tjaldur had crossed oceans to display the quality of its lovely timber construction.
In recent times Sean played a key role with the Asgard Restoration Project as chairman and treasurer of the finance committee - again in furtherance of his interest in traditional craft. To that he brought his extensive experience of organisations, as he did to the Old Gaffers' Association.
And in regattas at various Irish ports, Sean Whiston showed a mettle that was reflected in his many medals and awards. A quiet-spoken man, a slightly loud order could electrify even an alert crew when the contest demanded it. His knowledge of navigation and seamanship always instilled confidence and, as one regular member of his crew once said, "Sure wasn't he a salmon in a previous life?"
When Sean Whiston cast off for his last voyage to a well-deserved peaceful berth, the chorus of sympathy that went out to his wife Kathy, sons Gerald and Derek, and daughters Loretta and Shirley, could be heard well over the horizon.
J.O'D.