Baltimore RNLI provides medi-vac from Cape Clear  

Baltimore RNLI carried out a medical evacuation yesterday evening (Friday) from Cape Clear Island off the coast of Baltimore.  

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 6.20pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide medical assistance and evacuation to an islander living on Cape Clear.  

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat arrived at North Harbour in Cape Clear at 6.39pm. The casualty was brought onboard and the lifeboat departed the island at 6.41pm. The lifeboat returned to the station in Baltimore and handed the casualty over to the care of the HSE ambulance crew at 7.03pm.  

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat: coxswain Kieran Cotter, mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Jerry Smith, Kieran Collins, Pat Collins, Colin Rochford and David Ryan.

Assisting at the boathouse in Baltimore were Gerald O’Brien, Aidan Bushe and Don O’Donovan.  

Conditions at sea during the call-out were good with a north-westerly force 4-5 wind, a 1m sea swell and very good visibility.  

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 and explain to the operator what the nature of the call is.

'The operator will then make sure that the call is directed to both the Coast Guard and the National Ambulance Service. We wish the casualty a full recovery.'

Ms Callanan added: 'Our thoughts today are also with the family, friends and colleagues of the crew members of the French lifeboat service SNSM who lost their lives yesterday during a rescue.’