The island-based volunteer crew at Arranmore RNLI in Co Donegal received four calls for assistance in 48 hours earlier this week.
The first call came at 1.40pm on Tuesday (11 November) to assist in a Man Overboard emergency some 50 miles off Arranmore Island.
However, the lifeboat was stood down en route by Malin Head Coastguard as it emerged that the casualty was recovered from the water by his fellow fishing vessel crew and was airlifted to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to The Journal, the fisherman in his 40s was living in Greencastle for a number of years and was well liked in the area.
Malin Head coastguard next tasked the lifeboat with a medical evacuation from the island at 4pm on Tuesday and again in the early hours of Wednesday morning (12 November) at around 1.20am.
Both casualties were transferred to an awaiting ambulance in Burtonport and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for further assessment. Arranmore RNLI wishes them a speedy recovery.
The fourth shout came later on Wednesday when Malin Head tasked the lifeboat to the crew of a fishing vessel which had engine failure between Owey and Arranmore islands.
Upon arrival, the crew assessed the situation and decided that establishing a tow was the best course of action. The casualty vessel and its crew was towed safely to Burtonport pier for repairs.
Lifeboat operations manager Jerry Early said after a busy couple of days: “As an emergency service this is reason we are here. It doesn’t matter what time day or night we get the call for assistance, the crew are always ready to respond.
“The RNLI provided Arranmore and the wider coastal area with this vital service 142 years ago and I am proud to say there was always a crew willing to drop everything and answer the call for those in trouble.
“I would like to wish those patients we helped a speedy and full recovery and thank the crew for their dedication.”
