The all-weather lifeboat was quickly alongside the dive vessel with the casualty onboard. Two volunteer crew members were put aboard to assess the casualty who was found to have regained consciousness and was being given oxygen. The casualty's dive buddy was also assessed and found to be OK.
The casualty had made a controlled ascent with his dive buddy after experiencing difficulty around 23 meters underwater. To ensure the casualty got to hospital as quickly as possible HM Rescue helicopter 175 was requested and confirmed to be available. The deck was cleared and the casualty was placed in the recovery position pending evacuation.
The helicopter paramedic arrived on deck, quickly assessed the situation and arranged to airlift the casualty. Within a short time the casualty was placed in a lifting harness and lifted to the helicopter. With the casualty on route to hospital, the lifeboat was freed to return to station.
As Swanage had a relief lifeboat on station following some repairs, the volunteer crew proceeded to Poole to swap lifeboats and return with Swanage's own lifeboat. On the way out of Poole Harbour, a small motorboat with engine trouble was spotted drifting in the flood tide at the ferry crossing. The lifeboat took the vessel under tow to a mooring in the Harbour so that the vessel was no longer drifting in the main channel. A launch vessel from a nearby sailing club was able to assist with taking the vessel ashore.
With the second rescue completed the lifeboat was free to return to station.
ALB Crew - Gavin Steeden (Coxn), Dave Turnbull, Steve Williams, Ant Corben, Becky Mack, Duncan Youngs, Ben Jarvis.
Shore Crew - Paul Bedford, Felix Williams
Notes to Editors
Photograph of HM Rescue Helicopter arriving on scene. Credit RNLI
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [email protected]
RNLI/Becky Mack
HM Rescue helicopter 175 preparing for casualty evacuation
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.
