Torbay RNLI lifeboat launched to aid fisherman

A VHF call was received from Falmouth Coastguard from the Brixham trawler the Anna Marie, to call for assistance at approximately 8:30p, to report that one of the crew members was taken ill.

The trawlers position was given as twenty miles South East of Berry Head when the call was made and with the wind gusting an easterly force six meant an uncomfortable passage for the volunteer crew as the lifeboat punched her way through the rough seas at around twenty five knots.

When the lifeboat arrived, the sea conditions made the transfer of the casualty from the trawler difficult, but with all precautions taken the fisherman was taken aboard the lifeboat.

The volunteer lifeboat crew made their way to Torquay harbour where the casualty was checked over by the awaiting ambulance paramedics.

Once they were happy that the fisherman had recovered enough, he was able to travel back to his home port of Brixham on the lifeboat.

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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