Baltimore RNLI provides medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat following a request from the Irish Coast Guard at 8.05pm to provide medical assistance and evacuation to a man working on the island.

The all-weather lifeboat arrived in Cape Clear at 8.24pm and the casualty was transferred to the care of the volunteer crew onboard. The lifeboat then returned to Baltimore lifeboat station at 8.50pm and handed the casualty over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew who were waiting at the station. Conditions at sea during the shout were calm with a south-westerly force 3 wind and 0.5m sea swell.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Brendan Cottrell, Mechanic Pat Collins and crew members Micheal Cottrell, David Ryan, Ryan O’Mahony, Jim Griffiths and Don O’Donovan. Kieran Cotter, Jerry Smith and Kieran Collins provided shore crew assistance at the lifeboat house.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘So far this year medical evacuations make up a high percentage of the call outs for Baltimore lifeboat. Acting as an ambulance between the islands off the coast of West Cork is a vital service and our volunteer crews are trained to a high standard in first aid and casualty care. If you find yourself at sea or on an island in need of medical assistance, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Kate Callanan Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 087 290 6607

Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media 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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.