SKIPPER RESCUED FROM FISHING BOAT AFTER MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Belfast Coastguard this morning coordinated the evacuation of a skipper from the fishing vessel ‘Northern Dawn’ approximately 27 nautical miles east off Kilkeel.

At 08.55, Belfast Coastguard were contacted by their colleagues in the Irish Coastguard based in Dublin, who had overheard a transmission from the fishing vessel reporting that their skipper was suffering from chest pains and weaknesses in his limbs. 

Belfast Coastguard made direct contact with the skipper on board the vessel and recommended that he be transferred to helicopter as soon as possible.  The Fisheries Protection Vessel (Queen of Ulster) and the Kilkeel RNLI Inshore Lifeboat were both sent to assist.  

The casualty was then taken onboard the Queen of Ulster and brought back to Kilkeel Harbour, arriving at 11.45.  The man was also given first aid by both the crews from the Queen of Ulster and the local lifeboat.

Belfast Coastguard Watch Officer Gary Young said:

"We would like to thank the crew of both the Queen of Ulster and the Kilkeel Lifeboat for their prompt response to this morning’s incident and their crucial role in administering first aid to the casualty.”

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