Poole and Swanage RNLI volunteers assist in medical evacuation

Poole Lifeboat was requested to launch by UK Coastguard just after 6.30pm (Sunday October 30) to a report of a person with a head injury drifting in and out of consciousness onboard a yacht.

The person was on a 11-metre yacht heading for Poole, when the lifeboat arrived on scene the yacht was 6 miles south of Southbourne.

Swanage lifeboat was also tasked, along with rescue helicopter 175.

Sea conditions, in Poole Bay were rough with a 2 to 3 metre ground swell, buffeted by south westerly winds 5 to 6.

Poole lifeboat went alongside the yacht and a crew member was transferred across with first aid kit and oxygen to assess the casualty and administer casualty care, two crew from Swanage lifeboat were also transferred across.

The helicopter arrived on scene and a paramedic was lowered onto the deck of Swanage lifeboat, then transferred across on to Poole lifeboat. The paramedic was then safely transferred across onto the yacht with medical equipment to treat the casualty.

Poole lifeboat stood by, then the decision was made to escort the yacht into quieter waters, where the casualty could be transferred safely to an ambulance.

The yacht headed to Studland Bay, where it was more sheltered, the casualty was safely transferred off the yacht onto Swanage lifeboat along with the paramedic and lifeboat crew.

Swanage lifeboat took the casualty to an ambulance that was standing by at North Haven steps, where volunteers from Poole coastguard team were also on scene. Meanwhile, Poole lifeboat went alongside the yacht and retrieved all the equipment, and then went to North Haven steps to pick up the crewmember who had gone ashore along with the paramedic treating the casualty.

The yacht continued with its passage through Poole harbour onto Poole Quay Boat Haven and the lifeboats returned to their stations.

After refuelling, replenishing equipment and a debrief, Poole lifeboat was ready for service just after 10pm.

Volunteer Helm Jonathan Clark said.

‘It was very good teamwork tonight in challenging conditions helping a poorly casualty. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery’.

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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