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***Intervention during last nights Patrol***

During the course of our Suicide Prevention Patrol last night, at approximately 2:20am our boat crew noticed a female alone at the railings along the quayside. Our foot team approached the female and tried to engage with her, she was a little distressed, however after a few minutes she began to speak to our volunteers. She indicated to them that she was contemplating taking her own life by entering the water. Our volunteers contacted Waterford Gardai and when they arrived they joined our volunteers and engaged with the female. After speaking with the girl for about 15 minutes, the Gardai then decided to contact Ambulance control and requested an Ambulance to attend. While waiting on the ambulance to arrive our volunteers and Gardai continued to support the person. Gardai on scene ultimately made the decision to transfer the person to hospital themselves, and the lady agreed to accept help. Incident completed and crews stood down at 3:10am. We hope the lady gets the help and support she needs going forward.

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Would you like to join WMSAR?

In January 2017 we were lucky enough to purchase our new premises which we have been working hard on over the last 18 months, at the end of May this year we were finally in a position to officially open our state of the art dedicated training centre along with our new rescue headquarters. Now that all the work is finished, we are now turning our attention to recruiting some new volunteers in to the organisation. Over the next few weeks we are inviting applicants to apply for various positions within WMSAR, we have a limited number of spaces for new volunteers in all areas of our activities. Search and rescue, suicide prevention patrols, fundraising and boat crews to name but a few. No experience necessary as comprehensive training is provided in boat craft, first aid, navigation and suicide prevention techniques. Think you’ve got what it takes, if you would like to be a part of WMSAR, then drop us an email and we will send you on an application form. Applications will be accepted up until Friday 24th August 2018 waterfordmarinesearchandrescue@yahoo.ie

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Donal O Connor Memorial Cycle

The Donal O Connor Memorial Cycle is a family friendly cycle along the beautiful Waterford Greenway. The event, now in its 7th year, aims to create awareness of positive mental health while opening a conversation around suicide prevention and giving people a chance to reflect in a positive and supportive atmosphere. The Cycle takes place on Sunday 9th September and begins from different locations along the Waterford Greenway, Tickets are priced @ €10 per adult and a family ticket is available for €20 (2 Adults and up to 4 kids under 17) and are available from here All funds raised go to Waterford Marine Search & Rescue, a 100% voluntary organisation who run suicide prevention patrols in Waterford city. Here is a promo video from last year’s cycle Donal O'Connor Memorial Cycle – 9th September 2017Get on your bikes folks and take part on the Donal O'Connor Memorial Cycle this September!!!!! Publiée par Waterford In Your Pocket sur Jeudi 24 août 2017

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Waterford Marine Search and Rescue Room Hire

Did you know that we have two training rooms available for hire at our headquarters, these rooms are ideal for anyone looking to run training courses, including SafePass courses. We can set out our rooms for meetings or presentations and we also have individual examination desks which are a requirement for SafePass courses. Our rooms come equipped with 65″ ITC Screens, Surround sound system, free wifi, tea and coffee making facilities along with secure free parking. We offer a very competitive hourly and daily rate. You can check out our current availability here If you would like to arrange a viewing or would like some further information, feel free to drop us an email with “Room Hire” in the subject bar to, waterfordmarineseachandrescue@yahoo.ie or alternatively you can contact Leonard on 087 6692773      

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VHI Women’s Mini Marathon

WMSAR would like to thank the ladies who completed the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin yesterday, Breda, Bronagh, Fiona, Caoimhe, Michelle, Sinead, Annette and Elaine all had a great day in glorious sunshine too. We really appreciate them selecting ourselves as their chosen charity. Here’s a few pictures of the girls from yesterday.  

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Waterford Marine Search and Rescue Headquarters Officially opens

On Saturday 26th May 2018 WMSAR officially opened the doors of our Headquarters at Unit 10 Park Road Waterford City, Over 100 invited guests attended our opening ceremony, which was MC’ed by local journalist, Darren Skelton. Representatives of all the local agencies were in attendance along with members of Limerick Marine Search and Rescue and Wexford MarineWatch. We has representatives from the Coast Guard, South East Mountain Rescue, the Irish Search dogs, the Naval Reserve, Royal life saving society, Waterford Civil Defence and members of local businesses and City and County Councillors. Mags O Connor officially cut the ribbon for us, Mags has been a huge supporter of WMSAR over the last number years and in the process raising over €20,000 for us through the Donal O Connor cycle which takes place every September to coincide with World Suicide Day.  Here’s a few pictures which captures some of the day for us.   One of our volunteers One of our volunteers Stephen Kelly put together a short video from our opening last weekend, its shows some of the speches from the opening cermony along with a sneekpeek of the different rooms within our new purpose built headquarters. Fair play Stephen. Publiée par Waterford Marine Search and Rescue sur mardi 29 mai 2018

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Darkness into Light 2018

The HOPE sign on the river during this years Darkness into Light, Noel Browne captured this great image. Some of our volunteers recently provided safety cover for the Pieta House Darkness into light walk which is now in its 10th year, Over 6000 people took part in this years event which departed from the Waterford Regional Sports Centre at 4:15am in what could only be described as perfect weather. It was great to see so many kids taking part again this year. Remember, you are not alone, Pieta house: 24/7 :1800 247 247 Pieta house South East: 051 858510 Childline : 1800 66 66 66  Teen-Line Ireland :1800 833 634 Samaritans 116 123

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***Intervention***

At 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning, WMSAR volunteers on patrol intervened when a person attempted to climb the railings at Millennium Plaza. The person was in a distressed state and intended to take their life by drowning. Volunteers stayed with the person and WMSAR rescue boat stayed in the area until the person was taken to safety by Gardai. All volunteers stood down and suicide prevention patrol completed at 3:15 am. Thank you to the attending Waterford An Garda Síochána officers for their prompt, compassionate and understanding handling of the situation.