Achill Island RNLI's first medical evacuation from Clare Island for 2022

The volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat, Sam and Ada Moody, at 3.26pm on Friday following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to evacuate the man who was in need of medical assistance, from the island. Sea conditions were moderate at the time with 1½-2 metre swells in south easterly winds with mist and fog.

The casualty was taken onboard the lifeboat and received medical treatment from the crew while being transferred to Roonagh Pier. The casualty was then brought to hospital by the National Ambulance Service for further treatment.

The lifeboat crew consisted of five volunteers and included Ken Quinn, who took part in his first rescue since he re-joined Achill Island RNLI following a three year break for work purposes. Ken, who had previously volunteered with the Achill RNLI crew for six years said: ‘The relationship between Achill Island RNLI and those on our islands has always been a special one. It is a privilege to be able to respond when the call for help comes in. We wish the casualty well with their recovery.’

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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.

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