Newcastle RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Eliza, and all-weather lifeboat, Leonard Kent, launched on Thursday, (24 August 2023) to assist a man who took ill on Murlough beach.
At approximately 1.40 pm, Belfast Coastguard requested assistance from Newcastle RNLI. The RNLI’s lifeguards and Coastguard teams from Newcastle and Kilkeel were already with the man providing medical assistance.
At 1.49 pm, under the helm of Lochlainn Leneghan and with crew members Trez Dennison and Ciaran Leneghan, the inshore lifeboat launched and made its way towards the beach.
The decision was made to launch the all-weather lifeboat and at 1.54 pm under the command of Coxswain Gerry McConkey, the Leonard Kent launched and travelled towards Murlough to assist. Onboard were mechanic Shane Rice, navigator Niall McMurray and crew members Andrew Lynas, Michael McDowell and Brendan Rooney.
The weather and sea conditions were fine, allowing for a short passage to the scene, with both lifeboats arriving within minutes.
The inshore lifeboat arrived first and the crew assisted RNLI lifeguards and Coastguard to stabilise the casualty. It was decided the safest way to transport the casualty was to take him onboard the inshore lifeboat and then transfer him onto the all-weather lifeboat, which was approximately 200m offshore. The casualty was then conveyed back to Newcastle lifeboat station.
At the station, the man continued to receive first aid until he was transferred in the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service on arrival.
Speaking following the call out, Daniel Curran, Newcastle RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, said: ‘We would like to extend our best wishes to the casualty we looked after today for a speedy recovery and thank our RNLI lifeguards and our colleagues from the Coastguard and ambulance service for what was a great multi-agency response and effort.
‘Our volunteer crew are always ready and trained for all types of callouts. And train regularly using various training scenarios where both lifeboats work together. Today was a successful operation between our volunteer crew, both those at sea and onshore, our lifeguards who work on Murlough beach and the Coastguard teams.’