Crosshaven RNLI volunteers respond to injured yacht crewman
Friday 11 September 2026
Crosshaven RNLI volunteers were preparing to head out on exercise on Thursday evening when a VHF radio call alerted them to a yacht inbound to Crosshaven with an injured crewman on board.
At approximately 6.45pm on Thursday, 10 September, the volunteer crew at Crosshaven RNLI were making preparations for a training exercise when the call was received at the lifeboat station.
The yacht subsequently made its way alongside the pontoon, where the RNLI crew immediately went to the assistance of the injured man.
The casualty had sustained injuries after falling through the yacht's forward hatch, damaging his leg, hips and ribs.
The lifeboat crew provided immediate casualty care while the station's medical adviser, Dr Darragh Mathews, arrived promptly at the scene. Dr Mathews assessed the casualty and administered pain relief before arrangements were made for his transfer into the care of the ambulance service.
The operation also involved assistance from Sile Scanlon of Ballycotton RNLI, while Crosshaven Coast Guard personnel assisted with the extraction of the casualty from the yacht.
The casualty was subsequently transferred to the care of the ambulance service for further medical attention.
The Crosshaven RNLI crew involved in the callout were Aidan O'Connor, Michael Livingstone, Darren O'Keeffe and Peter Lane.
The shore crew were Jessica Long and Griff Kelleher, with Michael McCann acting as Launch Authority.
The incident was another example of the close cooperation between the volunteer emergency services and the importance of having trained crews ready to respond when assistance is required.
Crosshaven RNLI would like to acknowledge the assistance of Ballycotton RNLI, Crosshaven Coast Guard, Dr Darragh Mathews and the National Ambulance Service in dealing with the incident.
