Castletownbere RNLI assists in a multi-agency rescue 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 Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland