Ramsgate RNLI launch to the assistance of an injured solo sailor.
On 7 September at 16.29 the all weather Lifeboat launched at the request of HM Coastguard to a thirty five foot yacht with engine failure and reports that the lone yachtsman had a suspected broken hand, and therefore unable to sail.
He had been reported twenty miles out, north east from Ramsgate by the Kentish Knock which meant it took an hour to reach him even though the sea was flat.
Once they arrived on scene the all weather transferred two of the volunteer crew on board the yacht to assess the injury to the yachtsman, and found that he had injured his ring finger. After splinting his finger, putting his arm in a sling and administering Entonox gas for pain relief, the RNLI crew aboard the casualty assisted with attaching the all weather tow rope.
The all weather then proceeded to tow the casualty into Ramsgate harbour with the two crewmen remaining aboard the yacht to monitor the yachtsman, a journey that took over three hours.
When they finally arrived at Ramsgate the crew assisted with mooring the yacht alongside in the harbour and then took the casualty aboard the relief lifeboat Windsor Runner (Civil Service no.42) and brought him back to the boathouse.
After making ready the Lifeboat to return to service, the casualty was taken by car to A & E to receive treatment.
The RNLI rely entirely on public donations without which we could not continue to save lives at sea.
Karen Cox Lifeboat Press Officer Email [email protected] Tel 07779848431
Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London and South East. Email [email protected] Tel. 07785296252.
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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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