The Irish Coast Guard says it accepts the findings made in the inquest into the death of Doolin Coast Guard Volunteer Caitríona Lucas.
A verdict of misadventure was returned at Kilmallock court yesterday, where the jury also issued seven recommendations.
Catriona Lucas was the first Irish Coast Guard volunteer to lose her life during a tasking.
41-year-old Catriona Lucas, an experienced member of Doolin Coast Guard and mother of two, died after the Kilkee Coast Guard Delta rigid inflatable boat she was crewing on capsized during a search for a missing man on September 12, 2016.
Her inquest this week heard 28 depositions, including evidence that a recommendation for a safety systems manager at the Irish Coast Guard in 2012 was not implemented until 2018.
At Kilmallock court yesterday, the jury at the inquest returned a verdict of misadventure and made seven recommendations in relation to safety management, training and equipment used by the Irish Coast Guard.
A statement by the Irish Coast Guard said it would “now take time to reflect on the recommendations” and described Ms Lucas as “a very highly regarded and valued member of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard who tragically lost her life in the course of duty”.
“We would like to extend our condolences to Ms. Lucas’s family and friends on their enormous loss,”it said.
“We will now take time to reflect on the recommendations that have been made,”it stated, and said that it was working to implement recommendations arising from two previous investigations into her death.
The Irish Coast Guard said its “priority at all times is the safety of our volunteers who save the lives of others”.
“Following Ms Lucas’s death, both the HSA and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board have conducted reviews into the incident and the Irish Coast Guard has worked to implement the recommendations stemming from both of these reports,”it said.
“The Irish Coast Guard is committed to operating at the highest possible maritime safety standards so that we support and protect our volunteers as they work to serve communities all around Ireland,”it said.
It thanked Mr McNamara and the jury “for the work and time they have dedicated to this inquest”.
