Arklow RNLI responds to injured person on 20m sail training vessel
Arklow RNLI launched today (Monday 21 August) at approximately 12.15pm to a request to assist a large sailing vessel with an injured crew member aboard.
The volunteer crew made their way to the lifeboat station and and within minutes of the request were aboard the Ger Tigchlearr and enroute to the reported location some 20 miles south east of Arklow.
There were southerly force 6 winds and approximately 2m wave heights at the time.
The crew member had sustained an injury and needed to be transferred to shore as quickly as possible.
Once on scene it was clear that transfer from the boat to the lifeboat would be a challenging operation, With prevailing weather conditions, a decision was made to request the Irish Coast Guard's helicopter, Rescue 117 from Waterford to assist in the transfer.
Casualty care was provided to the injured crewmember on the vessel by their own crew onboard the sailing vessel.
The lifeboat stood by the vessel to render assistance if needed.
Once the helicopter was on scene the crew member was transferred from the vessel to the helicopter and then on to hospital.
The lifeboat then returned to base at Ark;ow and was made ready for service.
Arklow RNLI’s crew on this call out were Coxswain Ned Dillon, Brendan Dillon, Eddie McElheron, Craig O’Reilly and Michale Mordaunt.
Following the call out , Mark Corcoran, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Arklow RNLI said: 'Our volunteers train regularly with the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, these inter agency operations are key to making sure casualties get the care they need as early as possible. Well done to the crew of the sail training vessel who provided first aid and made the early decision to seek assistance.'
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