RNLI callout to trawler

The Castletownbere RNLI crew came to the rescue of a seriously ill person on a trawler on Tuesday night.

In difficult conditions, Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was tasked just after 10.45pm to go to the assistance of a 27 metre locally-registered fishing trawler, with six people onboard. The trawler was located two miles south of Mizen Head and had reported that a crewman had suddenly become seriously ill.

The lifeboat was launched within minutes and located the vessel west of Sheep’s Head. Conditions on-scene were difficult with a three-metre swell. Two attempts were made to transfer the casualty from the fishing vessel to the lifeboat but were unsuccessful due to the unfavourable conditions. The lifeboat then escorted the trawler to just inside the mouth of Castletownbere Harbour where the casualty, a man in his late forties, was transferred to the lifeboat in calmer waters.

The Shannon-based Sikorsky Irish Coastguard helicopter Rescue 115 was tasked and met the lifeboat in Bantry Bay. The helicopter lowered a winchman and the casualty was successfully transferred to the helicopter for immediate evacuation to CUH.

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Deputy Launching Authority, Brendan O’Neill, complimented the crew on its rapid response to the call-out and thanked the coastguard for its cooperation in making the call-out successful.