The West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue unit has implemented a governance structure in accordance with best practice in the SAR world. Day to day running of the unit is performed by an elected Executive Committee, and appointed holders of specialist roles.

WCUSAR’s Executive Committee consists of five members: a chairman, a vice chairman, a treasurer, a dive officer and a secretary.

The Executive Committee is elected annually at WCUSAR’s Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee for the 2018 is as follows:

Patrick Mulcahy, Chairman

Southern Star West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue team photographed at Baltimore with their specialist dive van and jeeps. Pat Mulcahy. Picture: Emma Jervis Photography

Based in Clonakilty, Patrick has been diving since 2000 and is a highly qualified Advanced Nitrox and SAR diver. He was directly involved in four of the units SAR operations; Union Hall, Bantry Pier, Sheeps Head and Baltimore.

Patrick has over 25 years of experience as a Site Engineer, Contracts Manager and General Manager. He is currently Managing Director of Secon Construction Services Ltd.

Eamonn Barry, Secretary

Southern Star West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue team photographed at Baltimore with their specialist dive van and jeeps. Eamon Barry Picture: Emma Jervis Photography

With nearly 20 yeas experience in diving and underwater Search and Rescue, Eamonn is one o the founding members of WCUSAR.

Based in Timoleague, West Cork Eamonn is a very active member of various voluntary organisations within his community which include West Cork Rapid Response, The Irish Coast Guard and West Cork Underwater SAR. 

Eamonn works for Eli Lilly in Dunderrow, Kinsale.

Aodh O’Donnell, Dive Officer

Southern Star West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue team photographed at Baltimore with their specialist dive van and jeeps. Aodh O'Donnell Picture: Emma Jervis Photography

Based in Union Hall, Aodh has been diving extensively off the West Cork coast since the mid ‘80’s and technical diving since mid ‘90’s. Aodh also runs his West Cork Boat Services operations from Union Hall. He has been involved in many search and recovery operations over the years. 

Aodh was instrumental in the creation of the WCUSAR in the wake of local tragedies at sea near Union Hall. He is an RNLI volunteer and Chairperson of the West Cork Rapid Response. 

 Aodh is also a founder & Director of West Cork Rapid Response

Aodh is the Managing Director of O’Donnell Furniture in Skibbereen.

John Murphy, Treasurer

Southern Star West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue team photographed at Baltimore with their specialist dive van and jeeps. John Murphy Picture: Emma Jervis Photography

John has been diving since the mid 90s and has significant experience diving off the West Cork coast, as well as other locations around the world. John played a key role supporting the SAR operation in Baltimore in July 2015, coordinating the tracking of approximately 100 divers on multiple diving sorties over 2 days by deploying the SafeTrx tracking app and a management software console which focused on the safety of the divers as well as providing feedback on the search area coverage.  

As co-CEO with software company 8 West, John has led the development of these software solutions for the worldwide Search and Rescue market. He has extensive SAR knowledge and working relationships with the major European Coast Guard and Sea Rescue other organisations worldwide.

John is based in Nohoval, Kinsale. 

 

Please support our service by donating what you can on our fundraising page on iFundraise: www.ifundraise.ie/wcusar