Baltimore RNLI provides medical evacuation from Sherkin Island

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat following a request from the Irish Coast Guard at 3.50pm to provide medical assistance and evacuation to an elderly man on Sherkin Island off the coast of West Cork.

Once on scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew administered casualty care before transferring the patient back to the all-weather lifeboat. The lifeboat then returned to Baltimore lifeboat station at 4.20pm and transferred the patient to the care of the waiting HSE Ambulance crew. There was a north-easterly force 4-5 wind at the time but sea conditions within the harbour were calm.

There were eight volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Brendan Cottrell, Jerry Smith, Don O’Donovan, Kieran Collins, Micheal Cottrell and Eoin Ryan. In attendance at the lifeboat station was Kate Callanan.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘The RNLI and other rescue/emergency agencies provide a vital service to those living or staying on islands around the coast of Ireland. If you are in difficulty on or near the coastline call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Kate Callanan Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 087 290 6607 or Baltimore RNLI Deputy Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Cyril Thornton Tel: 087 9876718 or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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 146,000 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.