UK Coastguard successfully co-ordinates long range rescue mission of injured seafarer (with footage)
UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway |
Just
after 8.30pm on Saturday 8 October, UK Coastguard were notified that the vessel
was about 230 miles North West of the Isle of Lewis and was beyond the range
that the helicopter could reach safely. The weather conditions were also not ideal for winching.
RAF Hercules C-130 Crown Copyright |
UK Coastguard said the vessel needed to make its
way closer to Isle of Lewis and also asked for the extra support from the RAF.
Once the ship was within a safe range, the UK
Coastguard helicopter was sent to scene by the UK Aeronautical Rescue
Coordination Centre (ARCC), under the watchful wing of the RAF’s
Hercules. Due to the long distance, the Hercules provided vital
communication support and safety cover, acting as a go-between to prepare the
vessel for the winching operation, which saved vital time during the mission.
The injured man was winched on to the helicopter and was taken to Inverness
Airport where he was transferred to Raigmore hospital by the Scottish Ambulance
Service.
The crew did not speak English, so a translator
helped relay instructions to the fishing vessel for the operation. The UK
Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Inverness provided back up
cover for the Stornoway aircraft while the work went on.
UK Coastguard Commander Mark Rodaway said: ‘In this
weather and at this range, it was vital that the helicopter was able to
rendezvous with the vessel and evacuate the injured crewman with as little
delay as possible. This is a superb example of international co-operation and we
would like to thank all those who have played their part in bringing this
rescue to a textbook conclusion.’
RAF Hercules C-130 Crown Copyright |
The C-130 Captain said: 'This was a highly
satisfying callout where all the agencies involved worked together for a
successful outcome. It was a life or death situation and everyone involved
worked as quickly as possible to preserve life.'