The Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter successfully winched an injured crewman from a fishing vessel this morning.
The operation took place at about 9.45am off Mine Head on the west Waterford coast, after the crew of the fishing boat made contact with the Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre.
The helicopter was tasked to go to the scene, on medical advice, while the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat was also on standby in the area.
A winch operation took place to take the fisherman from the boat and he was then transported via the Coast Guard helicopter to Waterford Airport, before being brought to hospital for assessment.
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Meanwhile, a cargo ship which ran aground on the Waterford coast this afternoon successfully got afloat again about two hours later.
It is understood the large container ship, which was on its way from Dublin to the Port of Waterford before being due to travel on to Rotterdam, went aground at Cheekpoint after lunchtime.
The tide was at a low point after that but the large ship is understood to have re-floated as the tide got higher.
A total of 13 crew members on board the ship, which is flagged in Portugal, are understood to be from the Philippines, Russia and Ukraine.
The R117 helicopter was dispatched to the area from Waterford Airport as a precaution and the Waterford pilot boat was also in the vicinity.
