SUBS NOW OVERDUE

Hi Folks

For those who have not yet paid their subs, they are now OVERDUE.
Also return of membership forms are also needed asap.
Due to insurance reasons we need all members to have their membership form fully completed and returned to the club. Forms are still available from the Club Notice board, at the pool on sunday mornings and via email from cian at chynes@nelipak.ie

Any questions about either the subs or the forms then don't hesitate to contact me on 086 8734935 for details.

Thanks

Cian

Confirmed Courses and Dates for 2007

SAR Training Update Saturday 6th December

Colm O'Reilly & Declan Walsh during a search & recovery training exercise today, Colm & Declan were the guides for the divers below navigating them whilst the divers carried out a line search on the river bed.


Thanks to all who turned up on Saturday, the morning started at 9.30am and finished at a reasonable 1pm.
Three line searches were done, initially there was difficulty in keeping the line straight and running at right angle to the river bank, this was due to the fast flow and currents going under the bridges. Different ideas were tried and on the third run all went to plan. The RDO (regional diving officer) Brendan Flanagan had asked to take part in the training and afterwards had high praise for the Athlone SAR for its commitment and high standards. Declan Walsh and Colm O Reilly were rope tenders, Brendan Flanagan and Niall McHugh were the Anchor divers, Ciaran Kelly, Ollie Fallon, June Robbins and Cian Hynes were the divers on the line. Steward McMickan was coxan with Peter Chatterton assisting. Training continues every Saturday at 9.30.

Rgds,
Ger C

Athlone Search & Recovery Training Update

The SAR team trained last Saturday the 30th of December. The training concentrated on line searches in fast flowing water, with particular attention to quick deployment of the dive team and collection after the dive. The day was very successful, three line searches were done and all who took part enjoyed the experience. More importantly things were learned and improved on. Thanks to our DO Liam Sheringham for doing coxan with John Kenny assisting and Robbie West, Cian Hynes, Declan Walsh, Stewart McMickan, Ollie Fallon and Niall McHugh for doing the practical work. Apologies were given from June Robbins, Colm O Reilly and Peter Chatterton who were unable to attend. Members of the SAR team please note that your dive certificate last two years and you must turn up and practice the different search methods over the coming months. This is for your own safety. Over the coming weeks, solo dive training will be done along the areas around the weir such as the eel lines and the lough gates.

Rgds
Ger C

SAR search for lost shotgun

On the 16th of December members of the Athlone Search & Recovery team searched for a lost shotgun on the request of the owner. The owner of the shotgun had fallen in and was unsure of the area in which he lost the gun. Cian Hynes, Stewart McMickan, Colm O Reilly and Ger Craven searched using the circular search method with the aid of a metal detector.
Liam Sheringham did coxan. The searches were unsuccessful with extremely poor visibiliy and a sillty bottom not making things easy. The searches were done in the Barley Harbour area of Lough Ree and we will try again to locate the gun in the coming months. Thanks to those who helped out.