The Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat was called out twice in quick succession to carry out medical evacuations on Wednesday.
The Aran Islands volunteer lifeboat crew first responded to a request from the Coast Guard at 11:25am that an elderly man needed medical attention on Inis Meain.
The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Pete Hanscombe and a full crew and made its way to Inis Meain, where the patient was transferred aboard from the island pier.
Before they could depart for the mainland the crew received another call about a woman needing assistance, this time on Inis Mór.
The lifeboat headed straight for Inis Mór and once alongside the Pontoon, the patient was transferred safely aboard and put under the supervision of the lifeboat crew.
The boat then headed straight for Rossaveal Harbour where both patients were transferred to a waiting ambulance and brought to hospital.
Speaking after the call out, Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain Pete Hanscombe said: ‘This was a busy morning for the volunteer crew members”.
“But they responded quickly and both patients were transferred safely and quickly to the Ambulance in Rossaveal. We would like to wish both patients a speedy recovery.”
The RNLI is a volunteer charity saving lives at sea and on inland lakes. It operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland.
The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service
Since being founded in 1824 the RNLI has saved over 140,000 lives.
image: RNLI/Aran Islands
