by Bernie English bernie@limerickpost.ie
WHEN philanthropist JP McManus provided funding for a pontoon in the river Shannon for the Limerick Marine Search and Rescue (LMSR) service, he gave a lot more than money.
The vital facility allows the dedicated volunteers to cut response time in an emergency  to a minute and a half – the 90 seconds that could make the difference between rescuing a person and recovering a body.
The floating pontoon, was built with a donation from the businessman’s charitable fund, cost €70,000 to build but it is priceless in the eyes of the LMSR team.
The new facility at Poorman’s Kilkee provides access to the main areas of the river and the service can now moor two boats there on a permanent basis.
The team recovered ten bodies  from the river last year and were called out 250 times in the last five years. LMSR Chairman Tony Cusack said they are anxious to concentrate on effecting more rescues and this is where the pontoon will play a vital role.
“We won’t have to launch a boat and that will save us vital time. Every minute, every second matters when someone is in difficulty in the water,” he told the Limerick Post
He said they were very grateful to JP McManus.
“This is the third time we have asked him for help and each time he’s been so generous to us. This will save precious minutes when someone goes in the water”, he explained.
“99 per cent of people who go to the river have suicidal intentions – that’s a just a fact. I would appeal to people who are having difficulty to get help. Talk to family, talk to professionals. And I would say to family members and friends, watch for signs that someone is in trouble and talk to them before we have to be called out”, he said.
