Littlestone RNLI tasked to two casualties on board a yacht mid channel
At 10.47am on Tuesday morning, Littlestone RNLI Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat 'Jean McIvor' launched to reports of two casualties aboard a 26ft yacht in the middle of the Channel near the shipping lanes.
Dover RNLI all-weather lifeboat and HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 163 were also tasked to the same incident. Owing to the rough sea conditions, HM Coastguard Rescue 163 was unable to winch the on-board paramedic down to the yacht.
On arrival on scene, two members of Dover RNLI crew were already on board the vessel to attempt to remove the two casualties onto their lifeboat; however sea conditions made this very difficult in a 2-metre swell. Littlestone RNLI crew on this occasion had volunteer crew member Tom Whateley, a fully trained paramedic for the ambulance service, on board.
Tom was transferred to the yacht and carried out an assessment on the two casualties, one who was feeling seasick and the other who had a facial injury. Fortunately these were not life-threatening conditions.
Owing to the sea conditions and the fact the casualties were not in critical condition, the casualties stayed on board with the yacht taken under tow by Dover Lifeboat, their condition constantly being monitored by RNLI volunteer Tom.
Once in Dover Harbour, Littlestone RNLI took over the tow alongside and brought the yacht into the marina, put the vessel alongside the pontoon and handed over to the HM Coastguard team.
On returning to Littlestone sea conditions hadn't improved and the lifeboat safely completed a net recovery at 3.27pm.
Once the Littlestone RNLI crew had returned to station, inshore lifeboat helm, Ryan Wicken said: 'Fantastic job all round considering this was a very complex shout in rough conditions, and a special thanks to Tom for looking after the casualties. Great job team - this is what we train for.'
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For further information, please contact:
Clinton Marshall, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlestone Lifeboat Station
on 07758 616581 or [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead (London/East/South East)
on 07827 58256 or [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 or [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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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 over 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 142,200 lives.
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 142,700 lives.
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