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Baltimore RNLI provides a medical evacuation from Sherkin Island

Lifeboats News Release

Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide a medical evacuation this afternoon (Thursday 3 June) from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork.

RNLI/Micheal Cottrell

Baltimore all-weather lifeboat departing lifeboat station

The volunteer lifeboat crew, under Coxswain Aidan Bushe, launched their all-weather lifeboat at 4.46pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation for a woman who was visiting the island.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at Sherkin Island pier at 4.53pm and transferred the casualty onboard the lifeboat. One of the trained volunteer lifeboat crew members administered casualty care and the lifeboat departed Sherkin Island at 4.57pm. The lifeboat returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 5.07pm and the casualty was handed over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew at 5.25pm.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Sean McCarthy and crew members Jerry Smith, David Ryan, Simon Duggan, Jim Baker and Colin Whooley. Conditions at sea during the call out were calm with a south westerly force 4-5 wind and no sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘If you find yourself in a medical emergency whilst on an island call 999 or 112.’

Ends

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]

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.

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