Kilkeel RNLI come to the aid of ill fisherman
Kilkeel RNLI volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 7.55pm yesterday (26 July) to respond to a call that a crew member of a fishing boat was unwell and needed attention.
The fishing boat was four miles south-east of Kilkeel harbour. The wind was 3 to 4 knots, the sea was choppy and the light was good.
Reaching the fishing boat, two lifeboat crew members went aboard to access the casualty. The casualty, who was a diabetic was unconscious; the crew members made him comfortable and administered oxygen whilst reassuring the casualty that he would be fine.
Another crew member went aboard with a stretcher and the casualty was placed in the stretcher, with the choppy conditions it was deemed too awkward to transfer the casualty to the lifeboat so the three crew members remained with the casualty.
On entering the safety of the harbour the casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and then safely brought ashore where an ambulance crew was in attendance. The local Coastguard was also in attendance.
John Fisher, Kilkeel RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'The crew performed, as always, in a professional and competent manner and the call out showed the value of keeping up-to-date with all first aid matters. And we are glad to know that the casualty is making a good recovery.’
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For more information please contact Leslie Campbell, Kilkeel RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [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 146,000 lives.
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