Two medical evacuations in one day for Baltimore RNLI

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 10.45am, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation (medevac) for a resident of Cape Clear Island.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour in Cape Clear at 11.07am. After a quick assessment by a Casualty Care lifeboat crew member, the casualty was brought onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear at 11.12am and arrived back to the lifeboat station in Baltimore at 11.39am where the casualty was handed over to the care of the HSE Ambulance Crew.

There were six volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat during this morning’s call - Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Jerry Smith and crew members Micheal Cottrell, Ollie O’Mahony, Conor Harrington and Maria Coleman. Conditions at sea this morning were good with a south westerly force 4-5 wind and a slight sea swell.

At 3.25pm this afternoon, the volunteer lifeboat crew were once again requested by the Irish Coast Guard to launch their all-weather lifeboat and provide a second medical evacuation for a resident on Cape Clear Island.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear at 3.45pm and after an assessment by a Casualty Care lifeboat crew member, the casualty was brought onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear Island at 3.52pm and returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 4.16pm. The casualty was once again handed over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew.

There were six volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Jerry Smith and crew members Micheal Cottrell, Ollie O’Mahony, Maria Coleman and Brian McSweeney. Conditions this afternoon were again good with a south-westerly force 4-5 wind and 2m sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘It was a busy day for Baltimore RNLI with two calls in the one day and both times our volunteer crews were quick to respond. Should you find yourself in a medical emergency at sea or on an island, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Callanan, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, 087 290 6607, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.