Baltimore RNLI requested to provide a medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 9.50pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation for a man who had sustained an injury aboard a yacht moored in North Harbour on the island.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island at 10.10pm and after a quick assessment by a Casualty Care lifeboat crew member, the casualty was brought onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear Island at 10.15pm and returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 10.35pm. The casualty was then handed over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Jerry Smith, Mechanic Brian McSweeney and crew members David Ryan, Maria Coleman, Eoin Ryan, Kelly Lacey and Conor Harrington. Conditions during the call out were good with an easterly force 3-4 wind.

Also yesterday evening, the victorious Beaufort Cup winning Baltimore RNLI crew returned home and were honoured at a BBQ at Baltimore Sailing Club. The Beaufort Cup is a series of inshore and offshore races which run during Cork Week, hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club with the support of the Irish Defence Forces. Teams from international uniformed services are invited to take part and this year a crew from Baltimore RNLI, skippered by volunteer lifeboat crew member Robert O’Leary, entered alongside crews from the Irish Defense Forces, the British Navy and the RNLI. On board the J109 Storm, kindly offered by Pat Kelly and the Kelly Family, the Baltimore RNLI team won all of their races during the week and were deserved winners of both the San Souci Cup, awarded for the offshore Fastnet race, and the overall Beaufort Cup Trophy.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘It has been an incredible week of sailing for members of Baltimore Lifeboat crew who took part in the Beaufort Cup and were victorious in every event they raced in. We are so proud of our volunteer crews both on and off the water and it was wonderful to see some of them honoured last night at Baltimore Sailing Club amongst fellow RNLI crew members, fundraising committee and operations team members, Baltimore Sailing Club members and the wider community.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Callanan, 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.