Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
31st August 2014
Selsey RNLI Lifeboat Launched to Medical Emergency
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The volunteer crew at Selsey were paged at 1.45 p.m. on Sunday 31st August 2014. Solent Coastguard requested the all-weather Tyne class Lifeboat 'Voluntary Worker' be launched to assist in the evacuation of a man who had suffered a heart attack aboard the charter fishing boat 'White Huntress'.
The 'White Huntress' was 5 miles south-east of the Lifeboat station when they made an emergency call to the Solent Coastguard requesting assistance and stating that the skipper of the charter boat was conducting CPR on the man and might need assistance with handling the boat. The Coastguard Helicopter, Rescue 104, was also tasked with the Lifeboat. The vessel was heading towards the coast to shorten the distance for the Lifeboat and Helicopter and at 2.10 p.m. both rescue craft rendezvoused with the 'White Huntress'.
'Voluntary Worker' stood off while the winchman/paramedic was lowered to the vessel to assess the man. He took over CPR from the skipper of the vessel and decided immediate evacuation was needed so the Lifeboat stayed clear until this had been completed and the helicopter departed the scene heading for hospital in Portsmouth.
The Lifeboat then approached the 'White Huntress' to check that the other people on board were OK and not in shock. They said that they were OK and would stay on the vessel for the return passage to Northney Marina in Chichester Harbour. The skipper requested that the Lifeboat escort them to the entrance to Chichester Harbour.
After escorting the vessel to Chichester Harbour, 'Voluntary Worker' returned to Selsey and rehoused at 5.30 p.m. The weather on scene was wind westerly force 3-4 with a moderate sea state in bright sunshine.
CREW: Rob Archibald (Coxswain), Gary Pearce (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Andy Lee, John Reeves, Dan Langford (Trainee) and Pip Skeet (Trainee).