At approximately 12.15pm on 21st August, the volunteer Arklow RNLI crew made their way to the lifeboat station in response to an assistance request call from a large sail training vessel with an injured crew member onboard. Within minutes of the request, the crew were aboard RNLB Ger Tigchlearr and enroute to the reported location some 20 miles South East of Arklow.
In Southerly winds Force 6, with approx. 2metre wave heights the crew member had sustained an injury and needed to be transferred to shore as quickly as possible.
Once on scene it was clear that transfer boat to boat would be a challenging operation, With prevailing weather conditions it had been decided to request the Irish Coastguards Rescue Helicopter Rescue 117 to assist in the transfer.
First Aid was provided to the injured crewmember on the vessel by its own crew on board the sailing vessel. The lifeboat stood by the vessel to render assistance if needed. Once the helicopter was on scene the crewmember was transferred from the vessel to the helicopter and then on to hospital.
The lifeboat then returned to base at Arkow and was made ready for service.
Arklow RNLI’s crew on this callout were: Coxswain Ned Dillon, Brendan Dillon, Eddie McElheron, Craig O’Reilly and Michale Mordaunt.
“Our volunteers train regularly with the Irish Coast Guard helicopters, these inter agency operations are key to making sure casualties get the care they need as early as possible, well done to the crew of the sail training vessel who provided first aid and made the early decision to seek assistance.” – Mark Corcoran, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Arklow RNLI speaking after the call out.
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