Russian crewman airlifted to hospital by Coast Guard helicopter
The Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter airlifted a crewman from a Russian fishing vessel some 180 miles North West of Erris Head Co Mayo this morning.
The operation was coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Malin Head.
Owing to the distance involved, communication support, known as 'Top Cover', was provided by a second Coast Guard helicopter.
Both helicopters refuelled at Blacksod prior to travelling to the scene.
The Russian crewman was airlifted at 4.30am and transferred to Sligo University Hospital where he was admitted shortly before 6am.
Coastguard spokesman Gerard O'Flynn says the ship was 180 miles out to sea - which is near the limits of their capabilities: “The helicopters would have fueled in black sod on the Mayo coast prior to heading out so, thus ensuring that they had their maximum endurance on scene.
“So the key point is once you hit 200 miles you pretty well on maximum range in terms of having sufficent time to conduct an operation once you get ot the actual ship with the casuality.”
