Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue appeals for new members, donations and sponsorship

Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue’s volunteers have issued an appeal for new members, donations and sponsorship to assist them with their important search and rescue work on the River Suir and other waterways.

The voluntary rescue team that is available 24/7 all year round to respond to call outs to search for missing persons are looking for new blood as some of their members near retirement.

Michael (Mixer) Power is the team’s longest serving member with over 60 years of rescue work under his belt. He is anxious that a new generation carry on the river rescue tradition of the Carrick boatmen.

“I am getting old and ready to retire and I would be worried that no one else is going to come in and keep it going. We would welcome new members.”

His first cousin Paddy Power, who is a river rescuer for over 50 years, echoed his call. He said they needed younger people to join up so they could pass on their knowledge of the river and search and rescue work to them.

The team was founded in 1963 by a group of net fishermen from the town. Paddy and Michael’s fathers were among the founding members.

The team currently comprises about 20 rescuers. A further 10 volunteers run the Carrick River Rescue charity shop on Main Street, which is the group’s main source of income. The team doesn’t receive any State grants or funding.

River Rescue treasurer John Glascott said they are very grateful to the people of Carrick for the financial support they have given the team over the years.

He encouraged the people of Carrick-on-Suir and its hinterland to continue supporting the River Rescue charity shop and alternatively host fundraisers or donate money to the group.

Mr Glascott points out there are high fuel and maintenance costs associated with the team's two inflatable rib boats, five smaller aluminium boats, two vans and two jeeps that must be kept in top condition for when the team is called out to search and rescue missions.

The team also has lighting, heating, insurance and maintenance costs to pay for its centre, which is a former building contractors premises on the North Quay, where they store and maintain their boats, vehicles, search and rescue clothing and equipment.

They recently had to invest €60,000 in a health and safety upgrade of the centre that included the installation of fire safe doors and disability toilets.

Paddy Power pointed out that one of the team vans is nearly 20-years-old while one of the jeeps is 16-years-old and their repair and maintenance costs are rising due to their age.

He said the team would love to secure sponsorship to replace these two old vehicles with newer models. “They don’t have to be brand new, just roadworthy,” he added.

Any person or organisation wishing to make a donation or offer of sponsorship to Carrick River Rescue should contact Carrick River Rescue at (083) 0365724.

A feature on Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue will be published in The Nationalist’s annual Tipperary Yearbook that will go on sale in local shops at the end of this month.