Making History: Drogheda Coast Guard Fields Its First All-Female Rescue Crew
- Pat Nolan
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
Thursday 27 August 2026
There are moments in the life of a Coast Guard unit that stand out, moments that bring a particular sense of pride. Recently, Drogheda Coast Guard experienced one of those moments when, for the first time, the unit was able to field a fully operational, all-female Search and Rescue boat crew.
It is believed to be a first for an Irish Coast Guard unit on the East Coast. But for Sue, Charlotte and Jean, making history isn't really what it is about.
What matters is the training, the callouts, the commitment and the years of work that have brought each of them to this point.
Almost 20 Years in the Making
For Sue McKinney, the journey has been almost 20 years long.
A long-serving member of Drogheda Coast Guard, Sue has progressed through the various operational roles within the unit, completing the necessary training and building the experience required along the way.
Four years ago, she qualified as a Coxswain. Today, she can find herself heading out on an operational tasking with a full female crew alongside her.
Search and Rescue isn't simply something Sue does in her spare time. She is also a Watch Officer with the Irish Coast Guard at Valentia, where she helps coordinate Coast Guard responses to incidents around Ireland's south and south-west coasts.
When her watch at Valentia is over, Sue swaps the professional role for her volunteer role in Drogheda, continuing to give her time, experience and commitment to the local unit.
From Donegal to Drogheda
Charlotte McDaid's Coast Guard story began on the opposite side of the country.
Originally from Donegal, Charlotte volunteered with Killybegs Coast Guard before transferring to Drogheda after she and her husband, Ciaran, moved to the area for work.
An accountant by profession, Charlotte now has another demanding role, being mum to nine-month-old Rosie.
Yet somehow, between work, family life and everything else that comes with having a young baby, she continues to find the time to train and progress through her Coast Guard qualifications.
Charlotte is currently working towards becoming a Coxswain herself. If successful, she will join the relatively small number of female Coxswains within the Irish Coast Guard.
Building on a Passion for the Water
Jean O'Reilly came to Drogheda Coast Guard with considerable experience around the water already.
An accomplished lifeguard and swimming instructor, she joined the unit to build on her existing knowledge of water safety while developing her skills in Search and Rescue.
That commitment to water safety doesn't stop when Coast Guard training ends.
Jean is passionate about passing her knowledge on to others and gives her time to educating young people about staying safe around the water. This includes visiting schools and helping children understand the risks, and how they can keep themselves and others safe.
When the Pager Goes
Search and Rescue has traditionally been a male-dominated environment. Seeing Sue, Charlotte and Jean heading out together as an operational crew is therefore a wonderful reflection of how much things have changed.
But when the pager goes, none of that really matters.
They are simply three trained Coast Guard volunteers, ready to launch and do the job they have spent years preparing for.
Theirs is a story of training, perseverance and service and a reminder that behind every operational Coast Guard crew are people who have invested countless hours preparing to help others when they are needed most.
It is a great achievement for Sue, Charlotte and Jean, and a very proud moment for everyone at Drogheda Coast Guard.
And perhaps, above all, it is a sign of the strength and diversity of the volunteers who make up Ireland's Coast Guard today.
If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.
