Clifden RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew in western Connemara were tasked just after 11am on Sunday morning (7 July) by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a casualty on the island of Inishbofin.
The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat St Christopher was launched under coxswain James Mullen, with John Mullen, Alan Kearney and Andy Bell as crew.
Arriving at the island, the lifeboat crew made their way to the casualty and carried out a comprehensive casualty care assessment on the individual.
The person was then transported to the airstrip on the island and handed over to the coastguard’s Dublin-based helicopter Rescue 116 for further treatment in hospital.
Having completed the operation, the all-weather lifeboat crew joined with Clifden’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat crew and 40 other boats who were escorting the late John Burke from Cleggan Pier to his final resting place on Inishbofin.
Speaking about the call-out, Mullen said: “My thanks to all involved in today’s shout, as always we had great cooperation and assistance from the community in Inishbofin, and I also wish the casualty a swift recovery.
“The volunteer crew at our station are on call 24/7. If you get into difficulty, or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”