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A CREWMEMBER ABOARD a Russian fishing vessel was airlifted to hospital early this morning after suffering a sudden illness.
Coast Guard helicopter R118 made the medical evacuation at 4.30am from the vessel around 180 miles north-west of Erris Head, Co Mayo.
The crewman, who is described as needing “urgent medical attention”, was transferred to Sligo University Hospital where he was admitted shortly before 6am.
Because of the distance involved, communication support known as Top Cover, was provided by a second Coast Guard helicopter, the Dublin based R116.
Both helicopters refuelled at Blacksod prior to transiting to the scene, and early morning conditions were described as challenging.
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As a fisherman myself , I praise and value the work the coastguard and Rnli do to keep us all safe . It’s good to know that we’re not alone out here if anything goes wrong. Sometime down the line I would love volunteer myself . Keep up the good work.
Hats off to the crews.
@George Vladisavljevic: Great work, the man’s life means a lot to him and if he has a family to them too. Delighted they all got back safely.
Thank God for them and I hope they’ll all be safe themselves. They do some seriously tough work in awful conditions sometimes.
I wonder is this the same Russian factory trawler whom the Navy and Coast Guard rescued another man last week 200 miles off the South West coast.
Probably not but there’s a lot of those huge yokes out there lately
A lot of sick sailers being air lifted to hospital lately. I’d say when they see the state of our health system they will say take me back to my boat il take my chances till I get home!
have your say