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Bembridge RNLI launches in strong winds to assist injured crew member on coaster

Lifeboats News Release

The Bembridge RNLI all-weather Tamar lifeboat 'Alfred Albert Williams' was launched just after midnight, in the early hours of New Year's Eve, at the request of the UK Coastguard to evacuate a medical casualty with a suspected dislocated shoulder from a coaster.

Archive picture of the KOSSAU

RNLI/Mike Samuelson/Marine Traffic

The KOSSAU
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The 87m vessel, the Kossau was on its way from the Antwerp area to Southampton, and was about 18 nautical miles east of Bembridge when the call came to assist the 56 year old crew member.

Conditions were pretty unpleasant - F7, gusting F8 south westerly with heavy rain. With the Alfred Albert Williams roughly four miles east of the Nab Tower, the captain of the Kossau informed HM Coastguard that as the injured crew member was the chief engineer he had decided to head into St Helens Anchorage and make the transfer at anchor.

The Alfred Albert Williams therefore proceeded back towards Bembridge and waited for the Kossau to anchor. On reaching the anchorage, the coaster made a number of unsuccessful attempts to anchor and so the captain decided to continue into Southampton and arrange for the injured chief engineer to be got to hospital once berthed.

The Alfred Albert Williams returned to the offshore boathouse without the injured chief engineer and was recovered by 3.20am.

John Keyworth, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'It was certainly not a pleasant night to be out on the water and we felt for the injured crew member, but of course it had to be the captain's decision as to whether his ship could continue safely without his chief engineer. A bit frustrating for our crew, but at least we were able to provide the captain with a number of options'.

RNLI media contacts

· Mike Samuelson, Bembridge RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07785 593254 or [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Picture of the track of RNLB Alfred Albert Williams

RNLI/Mike Samuelson/Marine Traffic AIS

Track of RNLB Alfred Albert Williams
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Mike Samuelson
Lifeboat Press Officer, Bembridge Lifeboat Station

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