New Rescue Boat Boosts Clare’s Flood Response Force
Clare Civil Defence has bolstered its emergency response fleet with the arrival of a brand-new rescue boat, enhancing water safety and rapid response capabilities across the county — just in time for the busy summer season.
The €28,000 vessel, supplied by Inland Inflatables in Sligo, was funded 70% through Dormant Accounts Funding from the Department of Defence, with Clare County Council providing the remaining 30%.
The new addition will be based at Civil Defence HQ on the Quin Road in Ennis, joining an already well-equipped fleet that includes two ambulances, two operational support vehicles, five 4WD jeeps, and three drone units. The boat will be manned by trained volunteer coxswains from the Civil Defence Boat Team.
A blessing ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Ennis HQ, followed by a formal launch from the River Fergus slipway on the Tulla Road.
The new boat arrives following Clare Civil Defence’s busiest year to date in 2024, with volunteers responding to 113 events and incidents. Among their vital duties were 24 missing person searches and key support during major weather emergencies, as well as medical cover at public events.
