Achill Island RNLI responded to a request for assistance with the medical evacuation of a patient on Inisturk, a small island off the coast of County Galway, on Bank Holiday Monday.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched shortly before 5 pm yesterday evening, Monday (2 May) with Coxswain, Dave Curtis, and 5 crew on board. It followed a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide assistance with an individual requiring medical evacuation from the island. The Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, was also requested to attend.
The all-weather lifeboat Sam and Ada Moody left Achill Island passing Achillbeg before rounding Clare Island and arriving at Inisturk Island at 5.35 pm. Sea conditions were very calm at the time with light north west winds, and the lifeboat crew were met with glorious sunshine on reaching Inisturk.
On arrival, the crew of Rescue 118 had taken the patient on board their aircraft and were getting ready to depart. The lifeboat crew stood by until the helicopter had safely departed before making their return to Achill Island.