Portaferry RNLI launches to injured person on yacht

The volunteer lifeboat crew’s pagers sounded just after 7:30pm. The lifeboat was requested by Belfast Coastguard to assess the situation where a woman had suffered a fall on a 30ft yacht. The lifeboat crew launched in good weather conditions with good visibility.

When on scene, the volunteer crew found the casualty sitting upright in the cabin with an injured back and side. The lifeboat crew administered casualty care and supplied oxygen until the NI ambulance service arrived at 8:15pm.

When the ambulance service arrived, they administered pain relief, placed her in an evacuation chair and took the casualty to hospital.

Also in attendance was Coastguard teams from Bangor and Portaferry.

Lifeboat was ready for service by 9:30pm.

Portaferry Lifeboat volunteer Helm Chris Adair said: ‘The casualty we assisted today had a mobile phone with her and was able to call for help. We had some great multi-agency collaboration between Portaferry Lifeboat crew, Portaferry and Bangor Coastguard Rescue teams and the NI ambulance service. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.'

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