Blackwater Sub Aqua has a dedicated Search and Recovery Unit made up from the club members, currently there are twenty six qualified personnel within the unit. The Search Unit was established in the early 1980s due to necessity within the locality of Fermoy to assist emergency services. Following the establishment of the Search Unit, members of the club/Unit with other experienced divers from around the country developed a suitable training programme to such a high standard that it was accepted and recognised internationally by Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS). CMAS is an international federation that oversees scuba and snorkel diver training and recognition. Over the years with the development of technology the Search Unit has embraced new advancements to improve search techniques, safety and efficiency; these include underwater communication sets and side scanning technology which have proven invaluable. The Search Unit fundraises on an annual basis with church gate collections, annual flag days, a St Stephen’s Day ‘Finswim’ on the River Blackwater. The unit is also supported by local community groups and corporate donations.
All search Unit personnel give their time totally on a voluntary basis; pay for their own training courses, all routine diving, and diving medicals and use their own personal equipment (paid for by the divers themselves). All search unit personnel either divers or support personnel must complete mandatory search and recovery training courses and continue to up skill with numerous training days throughout the year.
Blackwater Sub Aqua Search and Recovery Unit are part of the Diving Ireland Southern Region Search group and Voluntary Emergency Services Group of the Inter Agency Emergency Management Organisation and are available to assist all of the Primary Response Emergency Services Agencies. The Unit also travels to other locations around the country providing support to other Regions when required.
