Looe RNLI volunteer crews launch to assist with medical evacuation

Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 7 June 2022, Murray Collings, the Skipper of a local charter fishing vessel Swallow II contacted Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) for assistance when one of the anglers on his boat was taken ill. At 5.15 pm crew pagers sounded and our RNLI volunteer crew were tasked to assess the situation. Launching the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II our crew headed out to meet the Swallow II which was making its way back to Looe. Two of our crew boarded the fishing vessel to assess the casualty and provide casualty care. As they arrived in the bay, a second volunteer crew launched the D Class Ollie Naismith with the intention of transferring the casualty onto East Looe beach. Following further discussions with Falmouth MRCC our crews requested evacuation by helicopter and the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 924 was tasked. Arriving in the bay the helicopter paramedic was winched down onto the Atlantic 85 and transferred to the fishing vessel. Our Atlantic then went back out into the bay allowing the helicopter to lower a stretcher.

With the casualty handed into the care of the helicopter paramedic they were winched into the helicopter from the Swallow II and transferred to Derriford hospital.

Our lifeboats returned to station where they were washed down and refuelled ready for their next service.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Rescue 924 paramedic winching down to Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
Photo credit RNLI / Dave Haines

· Transferring rescue 924 paramedic to the fishing vessel from Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
Photo credit Looe RNLI

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

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.