Pre-dawn callout for Bridlington RNLI to fishing vessel east of Flamborough Head
The volunteer crew of the Bridlington RNLI all-weather lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones were tasked by the HM Coastguard on Thursday 2 April, in relation to a medical evacuation from a fishing vessel at 4.01am.
The crew of the RNLI all-weather lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones was paged by HM Coastguard at 4.01am following reports that a crew member, onboard a fishing vessel located approximately four nautical miles east of Flamborough Head, required urgent medical attention.
Five RNLI volunteers onboard the RNLI all-weather lifeboat launched from Bridlington beach at 4.30am, making good speed towards the casualty vessel in challenging sea conditions.
Upon arrival and after assessing the sea state, Coxswain Jason Webber, liaised with the skipper of the fishing vessel and HM Coastguard. All parties agreed that transferring the casualty to the lifeboat would not be safe, and that a HM Coastguard rescue helicopter would be the most appropriate asset to complete the evacuation. The RNLI crew were subsequently stood down shortly before 5.30am and returned to Bridlington, where the lifeboat was recovered, washed down and made ready for service by 7.50am.
Coxswain Jason Webber said: ‘When we arrived on scene, it was clear that the sea conditions were not suitable for us to safely transfer the casualty from the fishing vessel. After discussions with the skipper and HM Coastguard, the decision was made for the helicopter to carry out the evacuation. We were stood down and returned to station while the helicopter completed the extraction. The casualty was taken ashore for treatment by NHS staff in Scarborough.’
Notes to editors.
Photograph is also attached as jpeg image credited to RNLI/Mike Milner/RNLI Alex Rollin.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Mike Milner, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or call:07751-054052.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.