A doctor was winched down on to a Stena Line ferry after a toddler was taken ill on board.
The alarm was raised on the Stena Edda service as it sailed from Liverpool to Belfast early this morning (Wednesday).
At around 1.30am, the 17-month-old baby was discovered unconscious by parents.
Although the child subsequently regained consciousness, the ship's master decided to seek medical advice and radioed for help.
As a result, a doctor was called out, even though the vessel was 20 miles east of Douglas in the Isle of Man at the time.
The ship changed its course to meet the coastguard helicopter, which was scrambled from Caernarfon in North Wales.
The doctor was winched down on to the ship, and after examination it was decided the child and both parents should be airlifted to Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
This happened shortly before 4.30am, after which the Stena Edda continued on its way to Belfast, arriving around 90 minutes later than scheduled at 8am.
The baby's condition was not related to coronavirus.
A spokesperson for operator Stena Line said: "The crew has very strict protocols and are well trained to deal with these emergencies.
"Our thoughts are with the family and we hope everyone is OK and in good health."
A coastguard spokesperson said "The vessel itself called to make us aware of the situation at around 1.47am.
"A young child and one parent were transferred to Alder Hey, with the coastguard team setting up a helicopter landing site at the hospital."
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