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Alderney lifeboat launched to assist in urgent medevac
Alderney lifeboat launched to assist in urgent medevac
Lifeboats News Release
Alderney’s new RNLI all weather Trent class lifeboat Inner Wheel II, was launched yesterday afternoon (18 April) at 3.45pm to provide an urgent medevac for an Alderney resident.
The patient, accompanied by two nurses from the MMH (Alderney Mignot Memorial Hospital), was transferred to Braye harbour for their onward journey to the PEH Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey by St John's Alderney Ambulance Service.
The Alderney RNLI were requested to provide the transfer due to weather delays effecting flights to Guernsey, the Flying Christine being out of service due to essential works taking place in the Isle of Wight and the Guernsey lifeboat being active on a launch to assist a stricken yacht.
The journey to Guernsey took approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes arriving in Guernsey at 5pm where the patient was met by St Johns Ambulance and Rescue Service and transferred to the PEH.
A member of the patient's family said: 'We cannot thank the RNLI volunteers and medical teams enough for stepping in and providing the much needed transfer to Guernsey, it is a stressful and worrying time when a loved one needs urgent medical attention and the weather hampers their departure, we are very grateful.'
Coxswain Declan Gaudion said: 'The weather / sea conditions were at their limits for a patient transfer with moderate to rough seas, but due to the patients needs being time critical it was a journey that was necessary. It is an essential emergency service offering an alternative means of transfer for island residents. The Alderney lifeboat crew were grateful to their colleagues from both Guernsey ALB and ILB's for meeting them and assisting on their arrival after they themselves had just returned to Guernsey after an earlier incident.'
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
