Search and Rescue – True Stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the loss of R116 by Lorna Siggins, SB 318 pages, 18 colour and 2 B&W images, €9.99 from the publisher, Merrion Press, or £14.95 from Amazon, ISBN 9781785373572
There is no doubt in my mind that the men and women who venture out on search and rescue missions are a special breed, embodying some of the finest human qualities – selflessness, dedication and heroism in the face of all that nature can throw at them. In this well-researched account, the author, who is a highly respected and experienced Irish journalist, relates the stories of many such actions both by volunteers and full-time professionals. She goes back in time as far as the middle of the 19th century and as close to the present day as August 2020, giving a wide spectrum of rescues all around the coast of Ireland. The organisations involved include the Irish Coast Guard (formerly the Irish Marine Emergency Service), the RNLI and the Irish Air Corps, also covering the Air Corps’ air ambulance and Emergency Aeromedical Service roles. Rescues involving helicopters, lifeboats, rigid inflatables, fishing boats, the Irish Naval Service and private vessels are described. The stories are often breathtaking and also humbling in their descriptions of men and women fighting the odds and the elements.
Three tragic events are covered in some detail and with clarity and insight. They are the death of IRCG volunteer Caitriona Lucas in 2016, the loss of R116 and its crew in 2017 and, later in the narrative, Air Corps’ Dauphin 248 in 1999. I have to admit to a particular emotional connection here for several reasons: I have flown in the Sligo IRCG S-61 and S-92 on training and live missions, Lynda and I met Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, a number of years ago, when she very kindly took the time to give us a comprehensive guided tour of the Waterford base, and I have flown in Air Corps’ helicopters on numerous occasions. These experiences have caused me to like, admire and respect all those whom I met, as fine examples of humanity.
The author recounts the circumstances of these dreadful accidents, their aftermath and the subsequent investigations in detail, giving the reader much food for thought, nor is the effect on the grieving families overlooked. I would urge you to consider the words of John Fitzpatrick, Dara’s father on page 100-101, which ring true to me. There was undoubtedly room for improvement in management, procedures, training and equipment in all three cases. In fairness to the authorities, the managers, the politicians and the regulators, I would also suggest that the reader keep an open mind before attributing blame and consider the words of Anthony Holden QC, the Chairman of the Inquiry into the Clapham Junction Rail Disaster of 1988, ‘There is almost no human action or decision that cannot be made to look flawed and less sensible in the misleading light of hindsight.’
This is an excellent book, which I highly recommend.
