For locals in the south-east city, it is probably very difficult to imagine a world without Waterford Marine Search and Rescue service on the rivers. Roll the clock back seven years, and this was the reality.

The job of the organisation is to ensure the safety of people who get into difficulty in Waterford’s rivers. The figures, showing 108 lives saved since their inception, would suggest they are succeeding. Sitting with the founders in the Marino Hotel, overlooking the river they patrol, brothers Declan and Darryl Barry explain the tight ship they run.

It is said the way an organisation operates is a reflection of those who run it. The brothers are as motivated and driven as they are articulate and passionate. With the importance of the task they undertake every night of the week, they couldn’t be any other way. However the evolution of this taskforce gives a stark reminder of the realities surrounding society today.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We set up the organisation in 2010, to provide the people of Waterford with a search-and-rescue service. We wanted to cover all the streams and tributaries around the county. At the time there was nothing there for the county,” Darryl explains.

“About six months in, we began to ask ourselves why people were entering the water. We soon found out that they were not falling in – they were jumping in. Originally, yes, it was a search-and-rescue operation we set up, but over time it evolved into a suicide prevention service, with search and rescue second,” he continues.

To date, the team has rescued 28 people from Waterford’s waters. A further 80 people have “been talked back over the railing”. In other words, encouraged not to jump in.

In tandem with the theme of suicide prevention, the group works closely with Pieta House and the Samaritans, who help with training of the voluntary staff.

The brothers say that without a dedicated backbone behind the group, this ship would certainly sink. “In fairness, we have an incredibly committed team. They are unbelievably dedicated and selfless in the work they do. We may have set it up, but without the team behind us we’d have nothing. These lads are 100% volunteers. They all have part-time or full-time jobs outside of this,” Declan notes.

“Training the volunteers is obviously a big part of it. Myself and Darryl are both level two powerboat instructors and we have to train the recruits basically how to save lives. In the early days, we knew of a lot of people who had an interest in boating, and they came on board. It has literally grown from three of us to nearly 50 members today, all fully trained,” Declan says.

Continuous training runs from Monday to Thursday, with patrol on Saturday night and further training on Sunday. Two teams are on call, led by Declan and Darryl, with four rotating patrol teams consisting of 10 to 11 members, which drive along the river all night on specified nights.

The organisation also works in close contact with the coast guard as well as An Garda Síochána.

Funding

When the lives of so many are entrusted to a voluntary organisation, where does funding fit in? With running costs of close to €40,000 annually and little funding from State bodies, financial pressures are always an issue for the group.

Currently, this service is financed by the generosity of local people, local businesses and the general public, as well as the prize money awarded from the various awards the organisation has earned.

However, the duo and the organisation itself are no strangers to national recognition. KBC Bank’s Bright Ideas Fund award was the third national award won by the Waterford rescue service in the past few years, with the Volunteer of the Year Award and Spar’s Helping Hand prize already sitting pretty on the mantelpiece. It is something the brothers greatly appreciate.

“When you win something locally, it is great because people know you. But winning something nationally is totally different because the whole country is looking at what you are doing and appreciating it,” Darryl remarks. CL

www.waterfordmarinesearchandrescue.ie

>> KBC Bank Bright Ideas Fund

The KBC Bank Bright Ideas Fund is a community support initiative that will enter its fourth year in 2017 and offers individuals and organisations with innovation and creative community projects an opportunity for funding.

Marketing manager Edelle McMonagle told Irish Country Living: “Waterford Marine Search and Rescue is an outstanding project, which really captured the hearts and minds of our judges and the public.

“KBC’s Bright Ideas programme has provided over a quarter of a million euros in funding to 120 individuals and projects such as this over the last three years, helping to support their work in local communities for a brighter future.”

DONATE

To donate €4 to Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, you can text WMSAR to 50300. Visit the Facebook page for more details.