The newly constructed Bonmahon Coast Guard Station in County Waterford has officially been opened today.
The multi-million euro station will provide the appropriate operational, training, storage, and welfare facilities which will enhance the Coast Guard activities undertaken by the unit.
Minister of State with special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, Jack Chambers, opened the new unit which is situated on Coastguard Road in the village.
The new station will provide modern facilities for the eighteen volunteers who operate from the Bunmahon Unit.
Minister of State Chambers commented:
“The opening of this €5.2m station house, which is the first new Coast Guard building since 2014, marks the ongoing commitment by the Department of Transport in developing the volunteer service. The Coast Guard, through the building programme is committed to the ongoing construction of rescue stations around the coast.
The new station provides state-of-the-art facilities including training rooms, operations rooms, offices, garage space, welfare facilities and vehicle parking. It will serve the Bonmahon Coast Guard unit and the public for many decades to come.”
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan said:
“On behalf of my colleagues in the OPW, I am pleased to announce that the construction of the new Coast Guard station in Bonmahon is now complete. This purpose-built facility will provide the Unit and volunteers with modern accommodation and significantly improved storage facilities.
“The commitment and dedication of the volunteers is second to none and I am delighted that this new facility will assist them in delivering this invaluable service along the South East Coast.”
As Minister of State with responsibility for the Coast Guard, Minister Chambers presented the 200th year commemorative ‘Proof of Service at a Wreck’ tokens to the Bonmahon unit to acknowledge the IRCG’s 200th anniversary since 1822.
Ahead of presenting the tokens, Minister Chambers said:
“These tokens are a symbol of appreciation for the work the volunteers do in search and rescue. And as the final unit of the 44 units to be awarded these tokens, I am delighted it coincides with the opening of this new station.”
The station has been built at a cost of €5 million. The new station will also comprise of a garage for three Cliff Rescue Vehicles, an Emergency Operations Room, toilets, IT Comms Room / Radio Desk, shower and changing facilities, plant room areas, storage rooms, external services compounds, a kitchen, and office space.
Waterford Senator John Cummins has been among those to welcome the opening.
Senator Cummins said: “I’m delighted to be back in Bonmahon for the official opening this morning. It is a little over a year from when the sod was turned on the project in September 2022. Minister Hildegarde Naughton turned the sod last year and to be back here less than 15 months later to see the quality of the project which has been completed is absolutely amazing. Huge credit has to go to the contractors for delivering this state-of-the-art facility which will serve the community for generations to come”.
He added: “Last year when we visited the site, it was clear that the portacabin and rocket house were inadequate to cater to the needs of the Irish Coastguard. The fact that there were no showering facilities for the amazing volunteers who gave of their time and put their own lives at risk to help others was completely unacceptable and that is why the government has invested over €5 million in a new station which comprises of a garage for 3 Cliff Rescue Vehicles, an Emergency Operations Room, toilets, IT Comms Room/ Radio Desk, Shower and Changing Rooms, plant room areas, storage rooms, and external services compounds”.
