Red Bay and Campbeltown RNLI rescue sailor off the Mull of Kintyre

The volunteer crew at Red Bay RNLI were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 1.30am this morning by Belfast Coastguard and asked to go to the aid of a 45ft yacht with five people onboard. One of the sailors onboard was suffering from severe back pain and in need of medical attention.

The lifeboat launched immediately under Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin and made best speed to the location off the Mull of Kintyre. Campbeltown RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch a short time later.

Weather conditions at the time were good with calm seas.

Once on scene, a paramedic doctor was transferred from Campbeltown’s lifeboat to assess the casualty and safely transfer him on to the lifeboat while the Red Bay crew illuminated the area with their spotlights. The casualty was subsequently transferred to hospital by Campbeltown RNLI.

Speaking following the call out, Red Bay RNLI Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin said: ‘We would like to send our best wishes to the sailor for a full and speedy recovery. As he was suffering from severe pain back and in need of medical attention, the challenge for both lifeboat crews this morning was to ensure he was assessed and safely transferred onto the lifeboat. The call out which was co-ordinated by our colleagues in Belfast Coastguard highlights the close working relationships we have with volunteer crews across the RNLI, both here and in Scotland.’

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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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