Helicopter evacuation for injured sailor
Swanage's Shannon class lifeboat launched after a yacht declared they had an unconscious crew, following a fall, 5nm offshore.
Once alongside the yacht, two volunteer lifeboat crew were put on board, in tricky sea conditions, to assess the situation. The yacht crew had suffered a head injury following falling through the companion way and the casualty's condition suggested that an evacuation to shore was necessary, but not urgent.
Coastguard Rescue helicopter 'Rescue 175' was tasked and various evacuation plans were discussed. The sea state, casualty's mobility, space on deck were considered and a decision was made to attempt a 'hi-line' transfer of the winch paramedic directly to the yacht. This was successful and the winchman paramedic was able to re-assess the casualty, confirming evacuation was preferred. A further hi-line transfer was prepared, this time to hoist both the winchman paramedic and casualty up to the aircraft. 'Rescue 175' then took the casualty to Poole to be met by HM Coastguard and Ambulance staff.
The remaining yacht's crew were happy to make their own way to Poole so, after a final check and recovering the lifeboat volunteers, the Shannon left the scene and was back on the slipway at 10.45am.
RNLI volunteer media contact
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [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
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