The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat responded to calls for two medical evacuations in the space of just a few hours this week.
On Wednesday evening, the RNLI volunteer crew were out for training on the all-weather Severn class lifeboat when they received the call to return to Inis Mór.
A person on the island was in need medical attention, so they returned to the pontoon shortly before 7pm.
The patient was transferred safely aboard under the supervision of the crew and they then proceeded straight for Rossaveal harbour and the awaiting ambulance.
The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin and a full crew, sea conditions at the time were fresh, with a force 4-5 west to south west wind blowing and moderate seas.
The second call came just after 10pm, with a person on the neighbouring island of Inis Oírr also requiring medical care on the mainland.
The lifeboat launched again under Coxswain Ó hIarnáin and a full crew and headed straight for Inis Oírr.
Once alongside the pier in Inis Oírr, the patient was transferred safely aboard the lifeboat by the volunteer crew and headed straight for Rossaveal harbour.
Seas conditions were the same as earlier, with a fresh west, south west wind and moderate seas.
Speaking after the call outs, Aonghus Ó hIarnáin said, “There was a great response from the volunteer crew for the back to back call outs tonight.”
“They are always ready and willing to answer their pagers. We wish both patients a speedy recovery”.
