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Castletownbere RNLI goes to aid of sick fisherman off Mizen Head

Lifeboats News Release

Castletownbere RNLI was requested by Valentia Coast Guard at 10.46pm last night (Tuesday 3 November) to go to the assistance of a 27m locally-registered fishing trawler, with six people onboard, located two miles south of Mizen Head which reported that a crew man had become ill.

Castletownbere lifeboat crew aid fisherman

RNLI/Castletownbere

Castletownbere RNLI
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The lifeboat was launched within minutes under the command of Coxswain Dean Hegarty and located the vessel west of Sheep’s Head. Conditions on-scene were difficult with a three metre swell and 25 knot south-westerly winds. Two attempts were made to transfer the casualty from the fishing vessel to the lifeboat but were unsuccessful due to unfavourable conditions. T
he lifeboat then escorted the trawler to just inside the mouth of Castletownbere harbour where the casualty, a man in his late forties, was transferred to the lifeboat in calmer waters.
The Shannon-based Sikorsky Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 was tasked and met with the lifeboat in Bantry Bay. The helicopter lowered a winchman and the casualty was successfully transferred to the helicopter for immediate evacuation to Cork University Hospital.
Commenting on the callout Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Deputy Launching Authority, Brendan O’Neill, complimented the crew on its rapid response to the call out and thanked the Coast Guard for its cooperation in making this call out successful.

Ends

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About the author

Paul Stevens
Lifeboat Press Officer, Castletownbere Lifeboat Station

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