The LE Aisling responded to a request from the Coast Guard this afternoon when a female swimmer got into difficulty off Lahinch Beach, Co Clare.
The vessel launched a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) at 3pm and recovered the swimmer at 3.10pm.
She was brought to Liscannor Pier where a resuscitation team treated her.
She has been brought to Galway Hospital by Coast Guard helicopter.