Arranmore RNLI volunteers respond to four callouts in four days during busy summer period
- Pat Nolan
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Wednesday 5 August 2026
Arranmore RNLI's volunteer crew have experienced a busy start to August, responding to four callouts in four days, including three medical evacuations from Arranmore Island.
The first call came in the early hours of Friday, 31 July, when the volunteer crew were requested by Malin Head Coast Guard at 2am to carry out a medical evacuation from Arranmore Island. The casualty was safely transferred by lifeboat to a waiting ambulance in Burtonport before being taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for further assessment.
The crew were called again at 7.30am on Saturday, 1 August, following reports of people in a dinghy. As the volunteers assembled at the lifeboat station, Malin Head Coast Guard confirmed that those on board had reached shore safely and the crew were stood down before launching.
On Monday, 3 August, the lifeboat launched twice more to assist with separate medical evacuations. The first request came at 11.22am, with a second call following later that evening at 9.57pm. On both occasions, the casualties were transferred safely to a waiting ambulance in Burtonport before being taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for assessment.
Arranmore RNLI Coxswain Kieran O'Donnell said:
"I would like to wish all the casualties a speedy recovery and thank the crew for answering the call whatever the time, day or night. Thank you also to the volunteer island ambulance crew for their professionalism and dedication."
Following the recent callouts, Arranmore RNLI Launch Operations Manager Jerry Early is appealing to members of the public and boat users to help ensure emergency operations can continue without delay.
Jerry said:
"The crew and operations team are asking all boat users to keep the lifeboat berth at the Ferry Pier on Arranmore and Burtonport free for emergencies.
"We ask for consideration on this as it is interfering with medical evacuations from the island.
"Many of these medical evacuations are time-sensitive, and patient welfare is one of our main priorities when transferring patients to Burtonport.
"We would also ask motorists not to park in the designated lifeboat berth area, allowing the local ambulance crew to safely transfer patients to and from the lifeboat. Thank you for your consideration."
Arranmore RNLI is reminding everyone using the ferry piers at Arranmore and Burtonport to keep the lifeboat berth clear of vehicles and other vessels at all times to ensure the volunteer crew can respond quickly and safely whenever the pager sounds.
