Ballycotton RNLI Assists Casualty After Reported Shark Bite off Ardmore

Ballycotton and Youghal RNLI lifeboats joined a multi-agency operation off Ardmore, Co Waterford, on 11 August after a report of a person suffering a shark bite on board a pleasure craft, with the casualty winched to safety by Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 and taken to Cork University Hospital.

Ballycotton RNLI was requested to launch by Dublin Coast Guard at 4.16pm on 11 August to assist a five-metre pleasure craft with five people on board, approximately four miles off Ram Head, Ardmore, following a report of a person suffering a shark bite.

The response involved Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI and Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117. Ballycotton RNLI's all-weather Trent-class lifeboat, The Austin Lidbury, launched at 4.30pm and arrived on scene at approximately 5.10pm, in calm sea conditions and good visibility. 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 returned safely to Dungarvan. Both lifeboats were then stood down. Ballycotton RNLI returned to harbour at approximately 6.15pm, where the lifeboat was refuelled before the volunteer crew continued with their scheduled weekly training session.

Eolan Walsh, Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain:

"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. Ensure your vessel is suitable for the conditions, wear a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device, carry a reliable means of communication, and make sure someone ashore knows your plans. If you get into difficulty at sea, call for help early — contacting the Coast Guard at 999 or 112 can make all the difference."

The Ballycotton RNLI crew involved were Eolan Walsh (Coxswain), Alan Cott (Mechanic), Conor Philpott (Navigator), Eolan Breathnach, Áine Flynn, Stephen Sloane and Ronan Lynch.