
Yarmouth RNLI launch to assist injured sailor.
On Friday 28 June 2024, Yarmouth RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard to an injured crew member onboard a sailing yacht at the South of the Island who required further medical attention.
At 3:10pm, volunteer crew pagers sounded to launch Yarmouth’s all-weather RNLI lifeboat 17-25 - Eric and Susan Hiscock, Wanderer to a sailing yacht positioned 6.5 nautical miles from St Catherine’s Lighthouse, Niton.
With good visibility, but moderately choppy sea conditions, the RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene at 4:20pm and was joined by Rescue Helicopter 175, which then winched an onboard paramedic onto the lifeboat.
A member of the lifeboat crew and the paramedic were transferred onto the casualty vessel where they both assessed the casualty’s injured shoulder further and stabilised their condition.
After the prompt initial casualty care, the decision was made that to airlift the casualty from their vessel, onto Rescue Helicopter 175 to Southampton hospital for further medical assistance.
Miles Norris, the volunteer crew member who boarded the casualty vessel said: 'This shout was a perfect example of two agencies working together to provide the best and safest outcome for the casualty. The crew onboard the casualty vessel were calm and collected throughout the whole incident, and clearly had all means of safety equipment onboard including lifejackets. All at Yarmouth RNLI wish the sailor involved a speedy recovery.'
Miles, Yarmouth's crew member was then transferred back onto the RNLI lifeboat, and the return passage back to station in Yarmouth commenced just before 6pm.
The casualty vessel and the remaining crew departed the scene and began their journey towards Portsmouth.
After the post recovery checks were made, Yarmouth Lifeboat was marked ready for service at 6:45pm.
Notes to editors
- Photo of 17-25 Eric & Susan Hiscock, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat taken by Simon Hobbs.
- Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
- As well as 2024 being the year the RNLI celebrates its 200th year, it will also be Yarmouth Station's 100th year in service, as well as several other notable anniversaries including 140th anniversary of the original RNLI flag design, the 50thanniversary of the RNLI moving to the support Centre in Poole, the 40thanniversary of Storm Force membership and the 20th anniversary of opening the RNLI College in Poole.
- If you’re struggling in the water this summer, floating could save your life. Remember it. Share it. #FloatToLive
RNLI contact details:
- Hebe Gregory, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]
- Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager (South East & London) [email protected]
- Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead (South East) [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.