Cork Airport hub playing an important role promoting water safety 

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has launched a water safety installation at Cork Airport for the month of October.

The exhibition, launched last week by the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, includes audio-visual displays, interactive games and practical water safety messaging.

The water safety awareness installation is located in the terminal building and is part of a series of water safety initiatives around the country, with similar promotions running at the Port of Cork.

On an annual average, 116 people have lost their lives in Irish waters in the past decade, with a large number of these tragedies happening in Cork and Munster.

Lifeboat stations

There are now 46 RNLI lifeboat stations in Ireland, eight of which are in Cork, at Youghal, Ballycotton, Crosshaven, Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Baltimore, Castletownbere, and Union Hall.

Courtmacsherry was one of the first stations established in Ireland while Union Hall is one of the newest, celebrating its 10th birthday this year.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Boyle said: “At a time when an increasing number of the public are using open water for leisure, the importance of preparation and safety equipment is illustrated.”

Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Ireland water safety lead, welcomed the opportunity to bring the safety message to Cork passengers, saying she hoped people will “absorb the safety messages at the heart of the exhibition”.

Barry Holland, communications manager at Cork Airport, said: “It’s a real pleasure to host the RNLI’s water safety awareness exhibition here at Cork Airport.

“As one of the most well-known charitable organisations in Ireland, the good work of the RNLI and its volunteers is exemplified by the presence of eight lifeboat stations in Cork.

“This exhibition will not only serve to mark the significant 200th anniversary of the RNLI but also to educate and promote water safety to the hundreds of thousands who will use the airport over the coming month.”