Emergency evac at Sherkin

Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide an emergency medical evacuation to a woman visiting Sherkin Island yesterday afternoon.

The volunteer lifeboat crew, under Coxswain Aidan Bushe, launched their all-weather lifeboat at 4.46pm on Thursday following a request from the Irish Coast Guard and took just seven minutes to arrive at Sherkin Island pier.

The casualty was transferred onto the lifeboat where a trained member of crew administered casualty care.

The lifeboat departed Sherkin Island at 4.57pm, returning to the station in Baltimore at 5.07pm where the casualty was handed over to the care of a HSE Ambulance crew.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Sean McCarthy and crew members Jerry Smith, David Ryan, Simon Duggan, Jim Baker and Colin Whooley.

Conditions at sea during the call out were calm with a south westerly force four-five wind and no sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: “If you find yourself in a medical emergency whilst on an island, call 999 or 112.”

The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland and its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service all year long.

The RNLI is independent of Government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.