The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, completed a long-range emergency mission off the south west coast of Ireland earlier today.
The helicopter was tasked at around 9.00am to conduct the medical evacuation from a merchant vessel which at the time was approximately 160nm (296 kilometres) off the coast.
A fixed-wing aircraft, from the UK Coastguard, was also tasked in support of Rescue 115. Rescue-99, a Beech King Air B200 airplane was dispatched from its base in England.
The MV AM Quebec, a bulk carrier travelling from Canada to Belgium, had contacted the Irish Coast Guard on Friday reporting that they had a seriously ill crew member.
Staff at the Irish Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre on Valentia Island in Kerry, facilitated a link call between the vessel and MEDICO Cork. Following that communication, it was determined that a medical evacuation was required at the earliest opportunity for the casualty.
At the time, the vessel was well outside helicopter range but proceeded towards Ireland until it was within range for Rescue 115 to rendezvoused with it.
UK Coastguard aircraft Rescue-99 provided top cover support for Rescue 115 during the long-range mission.
The Irish Coast Guard has confirmed that a crew member was airlifted from the vessel and transported to Kerry University Hospital in Tralee for medical attention while the vessel resumed its passage.
This was the second long-range medical evacuation coordinated by the Irish Coast Guard in recent days.
On Friday, the Waterford Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter – using Cork Airport to refuel and extend its range – successfully completed a medical evacuation of ill crew member from another merchant vessel. This operation was coordinated with and supported by the UK and Danish authorities following an alert from the vessel.
