DISTRESS ALERT RAISES THE ALARM FOR SOLO SAILOR RESCUED FROM BRISTOL CHANNEL

A sailor tonight was rescued from their yacht in the Bristol Channel after they were taken seriously ill and used their Digital Selective Calling system (DSC) to alert the Coastguard.

Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received the DSC alert at 19:51. They immediately contacted the vessel and were told that the sailor, who was on their own, had become seriously ill mid-channel (11 miles off both the Welsh and North Devon coast).

The rescue helicopter based at Chivenor and the RNLI Lifeboat based at the Mumbles were sent to the scene. The sailor was airlifted from the yacht and flown to Morriston Hospital, Swansea. Crew members from the lifeboat transferred to the yacht and sailed it to moorings at the Mumbles.

Marc Lancey, Watch Manager at Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre said:

“This sailor became suddenly and seriously ill tonight and was struggling to talk on the radio. Because they had a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radio fitted they were able to raise the alarm and give their position just by pressing a single button and that’s why the Coastguard recommend that, where possible, all vessels are fitted with VHF DSC radio equipment.

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