A 90 metre Dutch fishing vessel requested assistance last night as one of its crew had a suspected broken leg after an accident aboard. The accident occurred when the fishing boat "Ocean Seven" was about 60 miles off the south-west coast and operating in a heavy swell. The vessel then steamed for approximately seven hours to Castletownbere.

Castletownbere’s all weather lifeboat ""Roy & Barbara Harding" was put on alert at 1.11.am and slipped her moorings as 1.22 a.m.under the command of Coxswain Brian O’Driscoll with crew Willie Russell, Sean O’Sullivan, Adrian Sparrow, Marnie O’Donoghue, Paul Stevens and Joe-Tim O’Sullivan. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 1.40 am. And the "Ocean Seven" arrived at the eastern entrance to Berehaven Harbour at 2.10. and immediately dropped anchor. Conditions were relatively calm and the lifeboat was able to come alongside and land three crewmen on board the fishing vessel.

The casualty, a man in his forties, received first aid from the lifeboat crew and was prepared for transfer to the lifeboat. Once secured, he was successfully lowered down a rope ladder and made comfortable.

. The lifeboat then proceeded back to Castletownbere and landed the casualty on the pier at where Valentia Coastguard Radio had arranged an ambulance. At 3.00 am he was transferred to Cork University Hospital. Castletownbere lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again by 3.15 am.

ENDS

Any queries to Paul Stevens, Press Officer, on 086 6015110