| 
| Francie
Bonner, coxswain of the Arranmore lifeboat (seen in
the background) who is retiring after more 35 years
service. Photograph: Alan Betson |
This
weekend marks the end of an era for the Arranmore lifeboat
with the retirement of the coxswain, Francie Bonner, after
more than 35 years of service.
The RNLI lifeboat is crucial to the Co Donegal island, not
just for rescuing people in trouble on the high seas but
for carrying out medical evacuations in emergencies.
Reluctant to boast, Francie makes his work sound easy and
then casually mentions that when the lifeboat goes out in
severe weather waves can often be as high as 15 or 20 metres.
Among the more dramatic rescues under his stewardship was
one in 1995 when the lifeboat was called out to the fishing
vessel, Claudia Marie, a few days before Christmas. Five
people on board were eventually brought to safety. The boat
had lost its rudder 24 miles north-east of Arranmore in
winds gusting to 9 on very rough seas.
A framed
letter of appreciation from the chairman of the RNLI was
presented to Francie for the rescue, which lasted about
13 hours. In recent weeks he has also received a presentation
at Buckingham Palace for his service with the RNLI.
Now 55, the retirement age specified by the RNLI, Francie
estimates he has gone out on the lifeboat an average of
three or four times a month since he was 20.
"At times it can be tough, but there is a job satisfaction
in what you do. I was a fisherman myself so I know how important
it is. You have to go out in bad weather. It is just something
you do. You don't think about it at the time."
He
says the main problem in very bad weather is boarding the
boat because on Arranmore they have to go out to the lifeboat
on a small dinghy. "If you can board the boat at all,
you would go out," he says.
There are two full-time crew members on the lifeboat, the
coxswain and mechanic, and 15 others.
Nora Flanagan, the only woman member, says the greatest
tribute she can pay to Francie is that he was so willing
to accept her five years ago as the first woman on the crew.
Although retiring, Francie will not be staying on dry land
as he intends to do some fishing. A party will be held on
the island tomorrow night in his honour. |
