LV Gannet - The Last CIL Lightship Decommissioned - February 25, 2009

Photographs © Chris Beale 2009

These photographs from Chris Beale show the CIL LV GANNET being withdrawn from the South Rock station by CIL Tender ILV GRANUAILE on February 25, 2009.

Chris writes: "My grandfather Ted Edge served in the light vessel service of CIL for 32 years until his retirement in march 1982 when he was a member of the last crew to be withdrawn from the LV GANNET on the South Rock station when it was demanned. It was very fitting for me therefore to be on board the ILV GRANUAILE on the day LV GANNET was decommissioned and towed off the South Rock station.

The photographs show LV GANNET being towed off station and one of the decommissioning ceremony on board. LV GANNET was towed to Dún Laoghaire for lay up pending sale.