Castletownbere RNLI assists in a multi-agency rescue in the Dursey Sound
The Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was tasked today (Sunday 13 November) just before noon to go to the aid of a man trapped a ledge on the shore in the Dursey Sound.
The
lifeboat, under the command of Second Coxswain Paul
Stevens, was
launched within seven minutes and arrived on scene 35 minutes later. The
casualty was located at the bottom of a cliff on a narrow ledge and suspected
to be suffering from hypothermia.
Given the dangerous three to four-metre swell on the
shoreline, the lifeboat was unable to launch its inflatable Y-boat. The Shannon
based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 was also on scene but unable to deploy a winchman
given the adverse conditions. The lifeboat was able to provide the Coast Guard
with details of the casualty's location through radio contact.
The local
Castletownbere Coast Guard shore-based unit lowered one of its team down the rock face who was able to
secure the casualty and both were brought up the cliff in a skilful
manoeuvre. On receiving a medical assessment from ambulance crew, he was
transferred to Tralee General Hospital by helicopter.
Ends
RNLI media contacts
For information contact Paul Stevens Castletownbere Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Paul Stevens tel: 086 6015110 or email lifeboat1744@eircom.net or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Media Relations tel: 087 1254 124 or email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or or by email.