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Skerries RNLI crew set for Boston parade

Thursday, 11 March 2010

THERE will be north county Dublin representation at this year’s Boston St Patrick’s Day Parade when the volunteer crew at Skerries RNLI Lifeboat Station don their marching shoes. An official invitation to participate in the parade was received by the volunteer crew last summer. Senior Helm and trip organiser, Eoin McCarthy, said: “After much discussion, the crew decided it was an invitation not to be refused and so they started saving.  “As a registered charity, the crew are unable to fundraise for their own endeavours for this trip, they can only fundraise for the RNLI Lifeboat Institution.”  “Over the following months, all those who decided to go on the trip, started paying into a savings fund and when all monies were paid up, flights were booked, uniforms purchased and a dress rehearsal was held.” The 22-person volunteer crew from Skerries Lifeboat Station will depart from Dublin for Boston on Thursday, March 11.  The US Coastguard, on hearing of their arrival, have invited the crew to spend Friday, March 12, visiting with them and taking part in their day-to-day activities, comparing how their methods of sea rescue differ from their own.  The Boston Marine Police have also asked the crew to spend time with them and it is expected that Saturday, March 13, will be spent doing just that.  Sunday, March 14, is the big Boston St Patrick’s Day Parade, billed as one of the biggest in the US.  The crew is hoping to have Monday for sightseeing and they fly home on Tuesday, March 16, in time for the Skerries Parade on Wednesday, March 17.   Somewhere in these busy few days, they must try to visit with the Boston Fire Brigade.  The request came from the Boston Fire Brigade crew along with a note stating: “come visit, we’d love to see you all – so long as you bring the Guinness!”  No fear, a stop at Dublin Airport Duty Free will solve that problem! Just because many of the crew are heading to the US doesn’t mean that the station will be unmanned. The volunteer crew at the Lifeboat Station in Skerries will continue to provide 24x7 emergency response cover for any vessel and crew who get into difficulty at sea.  Along with the Irish Coastguard, they monitor and maintain a first rate first response emergency service. On their return from Boston, the crew will be on hand at Rush Sailing Club on Sunday, March 28, to provide support and ‘on the water’ assistance to those hardy annuals who take to the sea to raise funds for the Lifeboat Station at Skerries.  Richard Flynn and his team, along with the great supporters in Rush Sailing Club, have been organising this 2k Winter Fin Swim for many years and all who participate know how well run and what fun it is.  The swim will start at 11am and anyone who would like to register or needs more details, is asked to contact Richard on 087-2803658 or Jeena on 087-2929646.  If you don’t fancy dipping your toes for this great cause, you are invited to come along and cheer on the hardy swimmers.