The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter successfully airlifted a passenger from a transatlantic cruise liner off the south coast.
Rescue 115 had been on standby since Thursday afternoon to rendezvous with Cunard's Queen Mary 2 which, at the time, was more than 700 kilometres south-west of Ireland.
The ocean liner was sailing from New York to Southampton UK when the crew requested assistance from the Coast Guard.
The helicopter crew had to wait until the cruise ship was within the range of the aircraft before they could undertake medical evacuation. Rescue 115 departed from Shannon at 9:30 am on Friday for the almost 2-hour flight to meet the liner. Medics onboard had cared for the ill female passenger until she could be airlifted to the hospital.
After reaching the vessel, the helicopter’s paramedic was lowered onto the deck in order to assess the patient. The cruiser was then winched onboard the helicopter and flown to Cork Airport.
At around 12:15 p.m. Rescue 115 landed in Cork where it was met by an ambulance. The passenger was transported by road to Cork University Hospital. The crew returned to Shannon where it landed just before 2:00 pm.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue center on Valentia Island (County Kerry) coordinated the operation.
Queen Mary 2 continued to Southampton UK where she is due to dock early Saturday, June 1.
For other Queen Mary 2 accidents and incidents see at the ship's CruiseMinus page.