Baltimore RNLI requested to provide a medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat The Alan Massey at 10.44am, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation for a resident of the island.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island at 11.08am where the casualty and the Island nurse were waiting. Following a medical handover from the nurse to the Casualty Care crew member, the volunteer lifeboat crew transferred the casualty onto a stretcher and then onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear Island at 11.30am and returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 11.57am. The casualty was then transferred from the lifeboat to the waiting ambulance and care was handed over to the HSE Ambulance crew.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Micheal Cottrell, Jerry Smith, Pat Collins, Stuart Musgrave and Emma Geary. Conditions during the call out were windy with a south westerly force 4-5 wind and a large sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Baltimore RNLI often provide medical evacuations to residents of islands off the coast of West Cork. If you find yourself in need of medical assistance whilst on an island call 999 or 112.’

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RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872906607 or email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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