Donaghadee Lifeboat

Lifeboat launched for ferry emergency

A CREW member on a cross-channel ferry was taken aboard the Donaghadee Lifeboat Saxon after a medical emergency in Belfast Lough Thursday night. (August 13.)

RNLI volunteers assisted as the woman was lowered from the deck of the Stena Lagan on the ship’s stretcher and brought her ashore at Bangor where she was rushed to hospital in an ambulance suffering from abdominal pains.

The drama unfolded in darkness but sea conditions were calm and winds were light. The lifeboat was back on station shortly after midnight.

An RNLI spokesman said: “The volunteers would like to wish the Stena crew member a swift and full recovery and were happy to have been of assistance by ensuring she got to hospital as quickly as possible. The charity that saves lives at sea puts Lifeboat crews through training exercises every week for this kind of emergency and this operation was completed without incident.”