Canada to the rescue
11.05.09
Newfoundlanders in
Trans-Atlantic Search and Rescue Games
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
SUNDAY May 3 was a great day in the history of the
Greencastle Coast Guard when they hosted the Trans
Atlantic Search and Rescue Games.
Rescue servicemen and women from all over Ireland
gathered in the coastal village, where they were joined
by eight members of the North Avalon Wolverines, a
Search and Rescue Unit based near St John’s, the capital
of Newfoundland.
For the games, the various units were split into teams
of four, where they completed several land-based rescue
exercised including ‘compass and pacing’.
“The games were geared to the kind of scenarios that you
would get into during actual rescue activities,” said
Greencastle Coastguard’s Deputy Officer in Charge,
Michael Doherty, who added that it was fascinating to
see how the Canadians approached the problems set for
them.
As well as the Canadians and the hosts, participants
included the RNLI, the Red Cross, the Coleraine
Community Rescue Service, the Lough Swilly and Killybegs
Lifeboats. |
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Other crews came from as
far away as Greystones, Dingle and Crosshaven. But there
was no doubt who the guests of honour were.
Perry Bowering, of the Newfoundland and Labrador Search
and Rescue Association: “We first met up with the these
Irish, including Charlie Cavanagh [Greencastle
Coastguard], on Prince Edward Island in 2005 at the
Canadian SARSCENE games. We met again in British
Columbia two years ago and have been friends ever
since.”
North Avalon won last year’s Canadian SARSCENE
competition. Immediately following the event the
Wolverines were called to a real-life incident, a search
for a missing hunter. The nine Irish Coast Guard
volunteers attending the games joined in a search. The
Hunter was found alive and well.
None of the eight Canadians from North Avalon have been
to Ireland before, but they are all au fait with the
Emerald Isle.
“ There are big similarities between Ireland and
Newfoundland. Many people emigrated from Ireland and
settled there. The landscape is very similar. The
culture is steeped in an Irish heritage, including
traditional music. Some people say that our accent is
more Irish sounding than Canadian, after all you are our
closest neighbours to the East!” added Mr Bowering.
This week the Canadians travel to Ballybunion for the
Irish Joint Search and Rescue Games before flying home
on May 11. For more photos, click here |
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