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Skerries RNLI carry out medical evacuation of ill fisherman from trawler

Lifeboats News Release

Skerries RNLI volunteers were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard shortly after 9pm yesterday (Thursday 18 July) evening to a man on board a trawler who had fallen ill and required assistance.

RNLI/Gerry Canning

Skerries RNLI alongside the trawler

The volunteers in Skerries RNLI were just completing a scheduled exercise on the water when they were tasked to rendezvous with the 20 metre trawler which was making it’s way towards Skerries from approximately 12 miles north of the lifeboats position.

Once on scene, the crew transferred the man on to the lifeboat and carried out a first aid assessment before beginning a return course for Skerries. When they arrived back to the slipway at the lifeboat station, volunteers assisted the man from the lifeboat to the awaiting ambulance. He was transferred to hospital for further tests and monitoring.

Conditions at the time were force one to two southerly wind with a slight to moderate sea and excellent visibility.

Speaking after the call out, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said “This may have looked a straightforward rescue to anyone standing on the beach yesterday evening, but further out to sea there was a bit of a swell running and the size difference between the vessels made this a tricky transfer. The helm and crew did a fantastic job in getting the man off the trawler and bringing him safely to shore.”

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Gerry Canning, Skerries RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 988 4965 or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [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.

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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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