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.’
Ends
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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.