Last Saturday (23rd) Donaghadee's Trent class lifeboat, Saxon, with RNLI Doctor Andrew Jackson on board answered a call by HM Coastguard to attend a cargo ship at the mouth of Belfast Lough. Donaghadee lies on the north County Down coast about 23 miles from Belfast
The coastguard was contacted by the ship requesting medical assistance for a crew member on board.
In a slight to moderate swell and excellent visibility, the lifeboat was able to maintain top speed to the ship which the Captain had repositioned to allow the lifeboat to come alongside in calmer conditions and bring the ill seaman onboard the lifeboat for assessment by its Doctor.
On return to Bangor Harbour, the casualty was transferred to the care of Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Crew on board for the second call out of the year were Coxswain Philip McNamara, Mechanic Shane McNamara, Navigator Mark Nelson, Crew members Michael Field, John Petrie, Nicky Butler and Iain Kaleda, all wearing appropriate PPE equipment.
The crew wished the cargo ship crewmember a speedy recovery.