Shark attack victim taken to CUH

A crew from Ballycotton Royal National Lifeguard Institute (RNLI) took part in a multi-agency rescue operation on Tuesday, after a person suffered a shark bite while on board a pleasure craft off the Waterford coast.

At 4.16pm, Ballycotton RNLI received a request to launch from Dublin Coast Guard to assist a five-metre pleasure craft with five people on board, approximately four miles off Ram Head, Ardmore.

The call formed part of a coordinated response involving Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI, and Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117.

Ballycotton RNLI's all-weather Trent-class lifeboat, the Austin Lidbury, was launched at 4.30pm. With calm sea conditions and good visibility, the lifeboat arrived on scene at 5.10pm.

Youghal RNLI and Rescue 117 were already at the casualty vessel.

Both lifeboats remained on standby while the casualty was winched from the vessel by Rescue 117 and transferred for emergency evacuation to Cork University Hospital.

The remaining members of the group did not require assistance, and the casualty vessel subsequently returned safely to Dungarvan. Both lifeboats were then stood down.

Ballycotton RNLI returned to harbour at 6.15pm.

Coxswain on duty, Eolan Walsh, said: “This was a well-coordinated multi-agency response, with Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI and Rescue 117 working together to ensure that the casualty received urgent medical assistance as quickly and safely as possible.

"Our crew were pleased to be able to support the operation and remain on scene while the casualty was transferred for emergency treatment and we wish the casualty a full recovery.

“Incidents such as this are a reminder that conditions at sea can change quickly and that anyone heading offshore should make safety a priority."