They support Cork families in their worst moments.

Now Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery have been offered the support of the Port of Cork Company, which has refurbished and provided the group with its first headquarters.

The organisation is completely voluntary and operates a 24/7, 365 days a year service that provides assistance, peace, and closure in the most heartbreaking of situations.

Chris O’Donovan, Treasurer and Search Coordinator, who was handed the keys to the premises on Friday, said the donation of a permanent address is “life-changing” for their operations:

“Having a base that is on the water and will be our long-term home will mean that our response time to rescues on the water will be so much quicker and we finally have somewhere we can store our equipment and park our emergency vehicles,” he said.

The group has long needed an appropriate space to sit with families to chat and console or provide a cup of tea.

“For us as a team, we now have somewhere we can shower after hours out and in the water and a place we can sit and have a debrief after an operation. We are forever indebted to the Port of Cork Company, to all those who have made this happen and of course to Minister Michael McGrath who has been an enormous support.”

Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer with Port of Cork Company added: “We were more than happy to refurbish and provide the free use of these premises to support the selfless work and dedication of the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery. This is just a small token of appreciation for the incredible work and support it has given to so many families down through the years.”