Man airlifted to hospital after being bitten by shark

A man was airlifted to hospital after suffering a suspected shark bite off the south coast of Ireland on Tuesday. Five individuals were aboard a small pleasure boat, located approximately four miles from Ram Head in Ardmore, County Waterford. The Ballycotton RNLI, based in Cork, was alerted by the Dublin Coast Guard at 16:16 local time to assist a five-metre pleasure craft carrying five people.

The man was hoisted onto the Irish Coast Guard's helicopter, Rescue 117, and transported to Cork University Hospital, where he is currently being treated. In response to the incident, multiple agencies, including the Irish Coast Guard's helicopter, Ballycotton RNLI, and Youghal RNLI, collaborated to provide a swift and coordinated response.

The Ballycotton RNLI's all-weather Trent-class lifeboat, The Austin Lidbury, was launched at 16:30 and reached the scene around 17:10, thanks to favorable sea conditions and visibility. The Youghal RNLI and Rescue 117 were already in position and prepared to assist the man upon his extraction from the boat. Ballycotton RNLI returned to the harbor at approximately 18:15, refueled, and resumed its regular weekly training session.

The incident highlights the importance of safety when operating on the sea, emphasizing that conditions can change rapidly. It is crucial for anyone heading out on the water to ensure their vessel is suitable for the conditions, wear a properly-fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device, carry a reliable means of communication, and inform someone ashore of their plans.

This is not the first occurrence of shark bites in Irish waters; in 2018, a Belfast angler was bitten while handling a Blue Shark he had caught, resulting in a serious injury to his lower arm, which was treated by Crosshaven RNLI in Cork.