In what he describes 'as a dream come true', Joe Byrne, the Kilkeel RNLI Sea Safety Officer is to be a volunteer at the Paralympic Games next month. Like many thousands of others, Joe, a native of Rostrevor in County Down, applied to be a 2012 London Games Maker and went through a lengthy selection process before hearing he was successful earlier this year.
He has been chosen to be a Field of Play Marshal for the sailing team which will oversee the Paralympics sailing event from 1-6 September.
‘This voluntary sports specific role’, Joe explained, ‘is part of a high-profile team which will be tasked to ensure that the all-important sailing area is properly marshalled and protected ensuring athletes have an uninterrupted race area’.
Joe has been the lifeboat sea safety officer at Kilkeel RNLI since April 2008 as well as being a lifelong supporter. He has been involved with Carlingford Lough Yacht Club for 30 years.
‘I expressed an interest in getting involved with the RNLI five years ago and was invited to be the sea safety officer in Kilkeel which was an enormous privilege and I have been doing it ever since. I enjoy talking to people and giving presentations. Water safety is something that is very close to my heart and if I can do some small bit then it makes it all worthwhile’.
Joe says it will be a great privilege and a huge personal honour to represent the charity and Ireland, at the unique sailing event.
‘I first registered an interest in being a volunteer for the games online four years ago. Then two and a half years ago I had to fill in a detailed questionnaire asking about who you were, what skill set you had, why you wanted to be a volunteer and what you wanted to get involved in. Interviews were held in Belfast last year and at the start of this year I heard that I had been accepted for a role in the Paralympics. I must admit that was a good day. It’s the pinnacle of what I love to do. It is like getting the opportunity to officiate at the FA Cup or All-Ireland Final’.
A total of 80 athletes will be sailing for gold in the waters of Weymouth Bay. Athletes will compete in three mixed events: the single-person, two-person and three-person keelboat competitions.
The sailing events start on Saturday, 1 September and finish on the 6. Joe however, will arrive in Weymouth ahead of the games on 28 August where there will be venue and orienteering training and practice for the competitors before the main event gets underway.
Among the Irish will be sailors John Twomey, Anthony Hegarty and Ian Costello, all from Kinsale in County Cork, who will represent Ireland in the Sonar class.
Throughout the Olympics, RNLI lifeboat crew has provided safety and medical cover for the competitive sailing events in Weymouth, and this will continue as the Paralympics get underway.
The charity’s volunteers will be operating three Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboats. Each boat will carry three crew members.
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