Early call for RNLI Eastbourne
In the early hours of Sunday morning Eastbourne RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was tasked to evacuate a sick crew member from a passing dredger.
Instead of enjoying the extra hour in bed when the clocks went back this morning (Sun 31st) the volunteer crew of Eastbourne lifeboat put to sea at 04.30 in blustery conditions to evacuate a crew member from a passing dredger.
The 62 year old male was suffering severe pain with suspected Renal Colic and required urgent hospitalisation. Rendezvousing three miles offshore with the dredger, volunteer crew members Guy Emery (Paramedic) and Dr. Stephen Lytton were transferred from the lifeboat to assess the casualty’s condition.
The difficult transfer of the casualty was conducted between the two vessels by turning the dredger beam-on to the weather with coxswain Mark Sawyer skilfully manoeuvring the lifeboat alongside in the lee of the larger craft. Both vessels were steaming at approximately 6 knots during the operation. With the transfer safely concluded RNLI Eastbourne made best speed to Sovereign Harbour where the casualty was passed to a waiting ambulance.