The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter successfully evacuated a casualty from a ship over 200 kilometres off the south coast of Ireland this afternoon.
The alarm was raised yesterday when the captain of the merchant vessel informed authorities they had a crew member on board who required medical attention.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry had worked closely with the UK Coast Guard colleagues since yesterday afternoon in planning the mission as the vessel transited from the Atlantic.
The crew of the ship had been requested to make their way towards the southwest coast of Ireland so that it would be within range of an Irish Coast Guard helicopter.
Rescue 115 took off from Shannon shortly after 1.00pm today to rendezvous with the vessel. By the time the helicopter reached the ship, it was 120 nautical miles (222 kilometres) off the Irish coast.
Communications Top Cover support for the mission was provided by a UK Coastguard fixed wing aircraft.
The casualty was airlifted from the vessel and flown to Cork Airport where Rescue 115 landed at around 4.30pm. The patient was transferred into the care of National Ambulance Service paramedics and transferred to Cork University Hospital for treatment.
The crew of Rescue 115 returned to Shannon at around 5.40pm.
