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04/03/2022
Foyle Search And Rescue Invests In New Sonar Technology
Foyle Search and Rescue have invested in new multi beam sonar technology, which will be used to greatly improve their search capabilities.
Funding of more than £151,000 was awarded to the voluntary-run L'derry-based charity from the Rural Community Rescue Scheme.
Visiting the group to see the new technology in use, Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots said: "It's not often that I attend a launch of equipment that I hope is never used, but this is one of those occasions. However, if this high tech sonar system has to be used by Foyle Search and Rescue to assist with searches in the river Foyle, then I know that it may help bring early closure to families who have lost loved ones.
"These volunteers work tirelessly to help others and this equipment should reduce the amount of time that volunteers have to spend searching for missing persons, which is a difficult task and is often hampered by bad weather."
During his visit, the Minister was met by Stephen Twells, Chairman of Foyle Search and Rescue, along with volunteers of the charity's Sonar team, who gave him a tour of the facilities and briefed him on the new equipment.
Welcoming the visit by the Minister, Stephen Twells said: "We are extremely grateful for this significant funding from DAERA, which has allowed us to invest in this new multi beam sonar technology, and although we hope rarely to use it, we are sure it will become an invaluable additional tool to help us find someone who has been lost and be able to bring them home to their family. It will help us search the river more effectively and thoroughly."
Funding of more than £151,000 was awarded to the voluntary-run L'derry-based charity from the Rural Community Rescue Scheme.
Visiting the group to see the new technology in use, Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots said: "It's not often that I attend a launch of equipment that I hope is never used, but this is one of those occasions. However, if this high tech sonar system has to be used by Foyle Search and Rescue to assist with searches in the river Foyle, then I know that it may help bring early closure to families who have lost loved ones.
"These volunteers work tirelessly to help others and this equipment should reduce the amount of time that volunteers have to spend searching for missing persons, which is a difficult task and is often hampered by bad weather."
During his visit, the Minister was met by Stephen Twells, Chairman of Foyle Search and Rescue, along with volunteers of the charity's Sonar team, who gave him a tour of the facilities and briefed him on the new equipment.
Welcoming the visit by the Minister, Stephen Twells said: "We are extremely grateful for this significant funding from DAERA, which has allowed us to invest in this new multi beam sonar technology, and although we hope rarely to use it, we are sure it will become an invaluable additional tool to help us find someone who has been lost and be able to bring them home to their family. It will help us search the river more effectively and thoroughly."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
