The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat was put through its paces recently by back to back call outs for medical evacuations from the islands.
The two callouts occurred last Wednesday, April 20, when the lifeboat was dispatched to Inis Mór and Inis Meain.
The first call out came around 10am that morning, when the Coast Guard requested that the lifeboat assist with a man on Inis Mór who needed medical attention.
The man was brought to Kilronan Harbour by the local volunteer Fire & Rescue crew, and transferred aboard the lifeboat.
They then made directly for Ros a Mhíl Harbour, under good weather conditions, where an ambulance was waiting for the casualty.
After returning to the Pontoon at Inis Mór, the next call out came at 2:15pm, when the RNLI were requested to head to Inis Meain, where another man needed medical care on the mainland.
The boat launched under Coxswain John Ginely and headed straight for the island.
Once at the pier in Inis Meáin, the patient was helped aboard by the crew, before heading to Ros a Mhíl.
Speaking after the call out Aran Islands Coxswain John Ginely said “A busy day, but the crew responded without hesitation and we got both patients on their way as quickly as possible. We would like to wish them both a speedy recovery.”
As we head towards the summer months, could we remind everyone to always heed safety guidelines when visiting the Coast.”
“ Never swim alone and if heading out on the water, wear a lifejacket and always bring means of communication with you. Letting someone ashore know when you are due back.”
