Support for Falmouth volunteer crew following medical evacuation.

The Dutch-registered, 7,642 tonne ship, Encounter, was bound for Liverpool from Bilbao, when a crewman sustained injuries requiring medical attention after falling in rough seas. The vessel diverted to Falmouth and, on arriving in the bay, took a pilot on board.

The all-weather lifeboat launched just after 9pm and was on scene just before 9.30pm in good visibility with a force 7 to 8 westerly wind and moderate sea. The pilot positioned the ship to provide a lee for the lifeboat to come alongside. Once this was established, three lifeboat crew members were transferred to assess the casualty who had already been placed in a stretcher by the ship’s crew. The all-weather lifeboat took the casualty back to the lifeboat station where he was then taken by ambulance to hospital.

On behalf of JR Shipping from Harlingen, The Netherlands and managers of the feeder vessel Encounter, €1000 has been pledged in thanks. A spokesperson for Confeeder Shipping said:

‘En route from Bilbao to Liverpool the 2nd Officer suffered an injury and the conclusion, after medical consult, was to disembark him off-coast by helicopter. When the helicopter arrived the weather conditions did not allow safe disembarkation. After this it was decided to proceed to Falmouth anchorage and disembark with assistance of the lifeboat.

Due to this efficient action the total delay occurred was less than 8 hours and due to this she was still in time to arrive at Liverpool within her window. So there was no delay in her tight schedule.

The 2nd Officer is doing fine and will be travelling homebound for final recovery. In view of this good result it was decided to make a donation to the RNLI and herewith like to thank all persons involved for their efforts and the service provided.’

Alan Rowe, Falmouth Lifeboat Operations Manager responded to the donation, saying “The lovely thought and kind gesture is much appreciated. Our crews are mostly volunteers and depend on donations such as these to help ensure will always be ready to respond to fellow mariners in waters around our coasts.”

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact; Justine Read, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07857522378, [email protected]; or Emma Haines Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847, [email protected] ; or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 180 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 140,000 lives. A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland