An injured fisherman has been airlifted to hospital from a trawler off the Irish coast.
Two Irish Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) helicopters were involved in the operation which began at around 10.30am today.
The captain of the Irish registered fishing vessel contacted the Irish Coast Guard reporting that a crew member had sustained injuries on board.
At the time, the trawler was 120 nautical miles (220 kilometres) west of Co Kerry while the casualty is understood to be a 52-year-old Egyptian national.
The Shannon based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 115, was requested to undertake the mission while Rescue 117 from Waterford was tasked to provide top-cover communications support for the operation.
Both helicopters refuelled at Kerry Airport before proceeding to the scene.
The Irish Coast Guard Helicopters Rescue 115 and 117 Refuelling at Kerry Airport today. pic.twitter.com/AkoBnr52Hi
— Kerry Airport (@KerryAirport) February 16, 2016
The injured man was airlifted to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) for treatment.
Earlier this month, the Shannon helicopter crew airlifted a man from a Russian factory ship almost 300 kilometres off the Irish coast.
The man sustained burns in an engine room accident was flown to Cork Airport where an ambulance was standing by to take the casualty Cork University Hospital for medical attention.