Commissioners present binoculars to Kathleen Lynch of Clear Island
OUR SERVICE relies greatly on the good will and co-operation
of many people around the coast who keep a weather eye out and let
us know if they observe anything amiss. One of these is Mrs
Kathleen Lynch of Clear Island.
In stormy weather the sea washes over the helipad at Fastnet
Lighthouse, preventing the Service contract helicopter from
landing. Also in these conditions the door to the tower is
inaccessible. Clear Island is the nearest land to Fastnet Rock.
When helicopter operations are scheduled and the weather is bad,
Kathleen observes the sea state at Fastnet and reports by telephone
to Castletownbere, where the pilot and the Attendant of Fastnet
Lighthouse are awaiting for conditions to improve. Mrs Lynch's
reports avoid flights from Castletownbere to Fastnet being
undertaken only to find that no landing is possible.
In recognition her assistance, and to help her in making her observations, the Commissioners recently presented Mrs Lynch with a pair of binoculars. The presentation was made by Captain Dermot Gray, Master of ilv Granuaile, on Saturday 7 October 2000 at the pier of North Harbour, Clear Island when the ship stopped off at the island while on passage to the south-west coast for operations with the helicopter.
Captain Gray expressed the Commissioners' appreciation for the 'air traffic control services' she provides. Kathleen explained that her father had taught her how to read signs of weather change and that she has had a great interest in the weather and the Fastnet since she was six years old.
Mrs Lynch did not know the presentation had been planned until Captain Gray phoned her from the ship. She told Captain Gray that when ILV Granuaile was sighted crossing Long Island Bay towards North Harbour a neighbour telephoned her and reported excitedly 'the Irish Lights are coming across the bay', to which Kathleen replied 'I know, they're coming to see me'. Her neighbour almost fainted, Kathleen told Captain Gray.
Unfortunately, the presentation was very short as Granuaile was required at Castletownbere for operational work. It is hoped that Granuaile will soon call again to Clear Island and meet with Kathleen and the good people of Clear Island.
In recognition her assistance, and to help her in making her observations, the Commissioners recently presented Mrs Lynch with a pair of binoculars. The presentation was made by Captain Dermot Gray, Master of ilv Granuaile, on Saturday 7 October 2000 at the pier of North Harbour, Clear Island when the ship stopped off at the island while on passage to the south-west coast for operations with the helicopter.
Captain Gray expressed the Commissioners' appreciation for the 'air traffic control services' she provides. Kathleen explained that her father had taught her how to read signs of weather change and that she has had a great interest in the weather and the Fastnet since she was six years old.
Mrs Lynch did not know the presentation had been planned until Captain Gray phoned her from the ship. She told Captain Gray that when ILV Granuaile was sighted crossing Long Island Bay towards North Harbour a neighbour telephoned her and reported excitedly 'the Irish Lights are coming across the bay', to which Kathleen replied 'I know, they're coming to see me'. Her neighbour almost fainted, Kathleen told Captain Gray.
Unfortunately, the presentation was very short as Granuaile was required at Castletownbere for operational work. It is hoped that Granuaile will soon call again to Clear Island and meet with Kathleen and the good people of Clear Island.