The Monaghan Boat Unit train weekly on Lough Muckno, near Castleblayney, and on other lakes within the county. Our training deals mostly with the skills referred to in the Level 2 and Safety Boat programmes. The Monaghan crew consists of members with level 2, Safety Boat and Advanced Power Boating qualifications. A number of our crew are also qualified to operate VHf Marine Band radios. Crew members have varying levels of first aid.

Over the past number of years we have organised, successful, regional exercises with counties Cavan, Meath and Louth. The scenarios at these exercises have not only included the skills relating to the above mentioned programmes but also G.P.S.& first aid.

The Monaghan Boat Unit is a regular visitor to Slane, helping out patrolling the river during concerts. Civil Defence provide crews to assist Monaghan County Council in monitoring lakes within the county at specific times during the year.Needless to say, the crew is always ready for a call-out- mostly search and recovery. The call generally comes from An Garda Siochana via the Civil Defence Officer.

ribrescue

As well as our two large inflatables and RIB, we also have a small 2.5 Honda inflatable. This boat is very important to us as there is limited access to a lot of lakes within the county.

Our kayak team has done very well over the years in Civil Defence competitions base their training on the level 1 to 5 skills programme provided by the Kayaking Association of Ireland.