
Donaghadee RNLI carries out medical evacuation of sick passenger on cruise ship
Donaghadee RNLI has carried out a medical evacuation of a passenger who became ill on a cruise ship that left Belfast Lough this evening (Friday 17 September).
The volunteer crew were requested by Belfast Coastguard to launch their all-weather lifeboat Saxon at 6.05pm and go to the aid of the female casualty.
The lifeboat launched within minutes at 6.12pm under Coxswain Philip McNamara and seven crew members onboard.
Weather conditions at the time were dull and cloudy with slight rain, a north easterly Force 3 wind and calm seas.
Arriving on scene at 6.40pm, the lifeboat crew liaised with the ship and the ship’s doctor on the condition of the casualty before transferring the patient onto the lifeboat and administering casualty care.
The lifeboat proceeded to bring the casualty and an another passenger safely to shore at Bangor marina where the woman was subsequently transferred into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Speaking following the call out, Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara said: ‘We were glad to be able to help tonight and would like to wish the casualty a speedy recovery. I would also like to commend our volunteer crew who turned out so quickly in numbers this evening ensuring we could get our help to the casualty as soon as we could.’
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