Agreement to be signed between The Irish Coast Guard and The Irish Underwater Council

This week a significant milestone was reached between The Irish Underwater Council and The Irish Coast Guard.  A Service Level Agreement between The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) and The Irish Underwater Council (IUC) was formally signed. The agreement enables IUC to certify and offer volunteer Search and Recovery Divers to the IRCG as an element of support for a Search and Rescue/Search and Recovery (SAR) operation being coordinated by IRCG on the inland or coastal waters of Ireland.

Irish Underwater Council Officers with Crish Reynolds in the Dublin Coast Guard HQ. Pictured from Left to Right; Dermot Moynihan National Diving Officer IUC, Paddy Agnew SAR Dublin North, Frank Casey SAR Midlands, Mike Orth President IUC, Noel Hayes SAR South, John Joe Roland National SAR Officer IUC & North SAR, Cormac McMahon SAR South West, Chris Reynolds Director IRCG, Mark Brennan SAR South East, Liam Whelan SAR Dublin South, Conall ó Domhnaill SAR West, Gerard O’Flynn SAR Ops Manager IRCG

“This is believed to be the first time a government agency has ever entered into a Service Level Agreement with a voluntary organisation. We understand this agreement will become the blueprint for any future agreements with a voluntary organisation.  This is a credit to the Irish Coast Guard and the hard work of the IUC S&R teams over the years. The Irish Underwater Council have been working towards this moment since 1998. Congratulations to all involved in bringing this agreement about. It is a validation of the professionalism and dedication of our Search & Recovery teams who endeavored over the years to return the remains of loved ones to their families. This is an extremely important service they provide for their communities.”  Dermot Moynhian, National Diving Officer, IUC.

“Congratulations and we look forward to a progressive working relationship with CFT long into the future. I believe this is a very good day for search and recovery in Ireland and will help bring closure to the loved ones of those that go missing in our waters.”  – Chris Reynolds, Director of The Irish Coast Guard.

The Irish Underwater Council (also known as Comhairle Fó Thúinn – CFT) is the national governing body for Scuba Diving and Snorkelling in Ireland.