To whom it concerns,

 The Mid West Regional Authority is pleased to announce its plans to assist water sports clubs and organisations to avail of equipment that will improve the energy efficiency and/or renewable energy contribution of a building/facility in order to achieve energy and CO2 savings. An energy assessor will be assigned to each successful applicant to undertake an independent energy assessment on the club buildings/grounds.

 This initiative is co funded by a marine leisure tourism project, titled NEA2, which is running as part of an INTERREG IVB Atlantic Area programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund.  

Full details of the scheme will run from 27th June 2011 and is given in the attached documentation. The closing date for applications is 22nd July 2011.

Press release from Wexford Sub Aqua Club regarding their divers being air lifted last Saturday morning

While returning to Kilmore Quay marina last Friday evening, the Wexford Sub Aqua Club dive boat carrying four members, overturned after suffering major structural failure.

The members of the club followed their emergency situation training, by climbing onto the hull of the overturned craft and awaiting rescue.

All members were wearing diving dry suits which helped protect them from the elements.  The members fired flares at passing boats, but unfortunately they were not seen.

Onshore, members of the club raised the alarm when it was noticed that the boat had not returned as expected to the marina. 

An air and sea search was commenced.  Early on Saturday morning the divers were spotted close to shore and airlifted to safety by Rescue 117, the Irish Coastguard helicopter based in Waterford. 

The previous weekend, the Wexford Sub Aqua Club personnel and boat had participated in the local air-sea rescue display in Kilmore Quay.   This event had added to the previous knowledge and experience of the members.

Wexford Sub Aqua Club wish to thank all the people involved with the search including the family and friends of the missing members, the Kilmore Quay Lifeboat, Rosslare Harbour Lifeboat, Fethard Lifeboat, Dunmore East Lifeboat, Local coastguard units, Kilmore Quay harbour office staff and the people of Kilmore Quay.  Also local dive clubs and individuals were on scene at first light helping with the search.