Wicklow RNLI assist in a multi-agency response to an injured casualty.

The volunteer pagers sounded at 12.50pm following a request to the Coast Guard for assistance transferring an injured casualty. The young man was injured on a floating pontoon used my swimmers to access the water in Wicklow harbour.

He was initially tended to by the lifeguards on duty who called for assistance from the national ambulance service. Once on scene the ambulance crew treated the injury. With the state of tide, it was not possible to transfer the casualty from the pontoon back up onto the pier. The ambulance crew requested assistance from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin.

The inshore lifeboat was launched at 1.00pm under the command of helm Mark Kavannagh along with two volunteer crew. In calm seas and calm winds, the volunteer crew arrived on scene a minute after launching. The casualty was transferred onto the inshore lifeboat and brought safely ashore to the waiting ambulance for onward transfer to hospital.

With the transfer complete the volunteer crew were stood down and returned to station 20 minutes after launching.

Speaking after the callout Helm Mark Kavannagh said ‘We were pleased to be able to assist the casualty, and we hope that they recover quickly from their injury. With the good weather I’d like to remind people if they see anyone in difficulty to please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Connie OGara, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 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.