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Hartlepool RNLI assist stroke victim on ship

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer crew members were paged at 7.50am on Sunday 31st January by Humber Coastguard to assess a crewmember on a ship who had suffered a suspected stroke.

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI all weather lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter pictured with the ship where a crew member had suffered a suspected stroke.
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The RNLI all weather lifeboat and crew launched at 8.10am and were alongside the 5,831 ton, 100 metre LPG tanker that was moored 3 miles off Hartlepool 8 minutes later.

Two crew members went aboard the ship where they assessed the condition of the male and administered casualty care.

A Coastguard helicopter arrived a short time later and lowered a paramedic onto the deck of the ship who also took care of the casualty.

The casualty and paramedic were later winched into the helicopter where it then made its way to James Cook University Hospital.

The all weather lifeboat and crew returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 9.50am and was refuelled and made ready for service by 10.30am.

Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Robbie Maiden said ‘A rapid response from the volunteer crew this morning meant we were alongside the vessel and administering casualty care to the ships crewmember within a matter of minutes

Once again the training we undertake paid off and the commitment from my crew turning out early on an icy morning was outstanding.

I would also like to say thank you and well done to all the crew who turned out and the HM Coastguard teams for the safe and professional medical evacuation of the poorly crewman from the tanker.

We hope the crewman from the tanker makes a successful recovery.'

RNLI/Robbie Maiden

Hartlepool RNLI all weather lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter pictured with the ship where a crew member had suffered a suspected stroke.
Download image

RNLI/Robbie Maiden

Hartlepool RNLI all weather lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter pictured with the ship where a crew member had suffered a suspected stroke.
Download image

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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About the author

Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station

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