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Ill seaman assisted by Hartlepool RNLI and Coastguard.

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI all weather lifeboat and volunteer crew were paged at 7.15am on Wednesday 9th February to assist an ill crewmember on a chemical tanker that was anchored 4 miles off Hartlepool.

RNLI/Garry Waugh

Hartlepool RNLI all weather lifeboat 'Betty Huntbatch' alongside the vessel.
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The all weather lifeboat launched at 7.25am and was alongside the 104metre, 4,500 ton vessel at 7.35am where two crewmembers went aboard, assessed the casualty and administered casualty care.
A Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Humberside arrived shortly afterwards where a paramedic was lowered to the deck of the boat and dealt with the casualty.
The two RNLI crewmembers then assisted the paramedic to winch the casualty to the helicopter who was then taken to James Cook University Hospital at Middlesbrough.

Hartlepool RNLI second coxswain and station mechanic Garry Waugh said "It was good to work alongside the Coastguard helicopter team and the tanker crew and we hope the casualty makes a speedy recovery".

The all weather lifeboat returned to the Ferry Road boathouse at 9.25am and was refuelled and made ready for service by 10.00am

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

Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station

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