Arranmore RNLI has welcomed a new crew member who has just got his lifeboat pager following weeks of training.
Jamie Neeson, originally from Dublin, settled on Arranmore with his family in 2006.
Jamie, who works for Sure Skills technology recruitment, lives close to the lifeboat station and watched the crew race to the station on many occasions.
Jamie said: “Living by the sea and seeing the amazing work the lifeboat does I wanted to play my part. I signed up and after a period of very extensive training I finally got my pager. I can honestly say that the first few nights after I got the pager I didn’t sleep a wink waiting for a call and wondering if I would be able to deal with the unknown.
“I still haven’t been on a call out but the crew have reassured me that I would be well looked after and given all the help to deal with whatever the call was.”
The training, which is ongoing is incredibly intense and equips the crew to deal with all possible situations.
Jamie adds: “I don’t think there is another organisation that trains its members to deal with every aspect of saving lives like the RNLI, these skills are very valuable in any career and can teach you to respond to any emergency and build teamwork.”
Jamie Neeson.Brian Proctor. Sharon O’Donnell. Reamon O’Donnell.Paddy Conaghan.
Elaine Grady. John Mc Cafferty. Michael Mc Hugh. Sean O’Donnell.John Mc Hugh
Jamie also sent well wishes to Arranmore man Paddy Conaghan who is embarking on a sea dip adventure around Ireland in aid of the RNLI.
“I want to wish Paddy good luck on his forthcoming adventure. He’s an incredibly brave man,” Jamie said.
