Aran Islands RNLI medical evacuation first Severn call out for Coxswain

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat, David Kirkaldy at 1.57am following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to transfer a patient off Inis Mór.

There was a Force 4 easterly wind and clear skies at the time.

The crew received handover from the local doctor and with the assistance of the Aran Fire and Rescue Service, the lifeboat crew transferred the patient onboard. The lifeboat departed Inis Mór and safely transferred the patient to Ros a Mhíl and into the care of an awaiting ambulance crew.

The lifeboat launched under RNLI Regional Resilience Mechanic Thomas Davis who passed his Severn class lifeboat Coxswain assessment on Inis Mór earlier this month. Thomas has been volunteering with Clifden RNLI for over 20 years and is now a staff Coxswain on both the Severn and Shannon class lifeboats as well as a Severn, Trent and Shannon class mechanic.

This marks his first call out as a Coxswain on a Severn class lifeboat.

Speaking following the call out, Thomas said: ‘I’d like to thank the volunteer crew who never hesitate to answer the pagers no matter what time of the day or night. We are an emergency service on call 24/7 and ready to respond to a call at a moment’s notice. We wish the patient a speedy recovery.’

Ends

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For more information please contact Treasa Ní Bhraonáin, Aran Islands RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 085 1500 564 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]

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