
Baltimore RNLI called out to a medical evacuation from Sherkin Island
Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide a medical evacuation late last night (Thursday 16 July) from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork.
The volunteer lifeboat crew, under Coxswain Kieran Cotter, launched their all-weather lifeboat at 11.50pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide medical assistance and evacuation to a boy who had sustained an injury earlier that day.
The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew along with two HSE paramedics arrived at Sherkin Island a few minutes after launching. The paramedics did an initial assessment before the voluntary lifeboat crew brought the casualty onboard the lifeboat.
The lifeboat then returned to the station in Baltimore at 00.21am where the casualty was transferred to the ambulance and brought to hospital.
Conditions at sea during the call out were calm with a westerly force 2-3 wind, no sea swell but visibility was poor.
Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘This is the second call out to a medical evacuation on an island for Baltimore lifeboat in the past week. If you find yourself in need of medical assistance whilst at sea or on an island, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.’
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RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872906607 or email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [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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