A rescue operation following a medical emergency unfolded in the North Sea off the coast of Hartlepool today, with a fisherman sustaining injuries. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat from Hartlepool was launched at 8:57am in response to the call.
The HM Coastguard helicopter from Humberside was dispatched to the scene and landed on the Town Moor at Hartlepool Headland after a period over the scene in the North Sea. The Hartlepool, Staithes and Redcar Coastguard Rescue Teams were also deployed. The HM Coastguard helicopter returned to Humberside shortly after 1.00pm.
Details of the RNLI Rescue
The RNLI released details of their involvement in the rescue:
- Call Received: Hartlepool RNLI volunteers paged at 8:57am on Friday 22nd March.
- Injured Fisherman: The incident involved a fishing boat with two people aboard, eight miles off the East Durham Coast. One crewmember had been injured.
- Lifeboat Dispatched: The all-weather lifeboat Betty Huntbatch launched at 9:10am, reaching the casualty vessel at 9:32am.
- Casualty Care: Two RNLI crewmembers assessed the injured fisherman and provided casualty care.
- Coastguard Helicopter Support: A Coastguard helicopter paramedic was winched down to the lifeboat and transferred to the fishing boat to further assess the casualty.
- Casualty Transfer: The injured fisherman was transferred on a stretcher from the fishing boat to the all-weather lifeboat and brought back to the Ferry Road lifeboat station. From there, they were taken to hospital by ambulance.
Hartlepool RNLI Coxswain, Robbie Maiden said: ‘Once again all the training we do as volunteers paid off with a very quick response to the pagers going off, getting to sea quickly and casualty care administered to the injured fisherman. It was also good to work with the Coastguard helicopter crew. On behalf of everyone at Hartlepool RNLI we hope the injured fisherman makes a successful recovery from his injuries.’
Collaborative Rescue Effort
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard confirmed to TeesPix.Photos that they are “responding to a medical incident on a vessel in the North Sea off Hartlepool today, 22 March. Alerted at around 8.45am, the Coastguard helicopter from Humberside, Hartlepool, Staithes and Redcar Coastguard Rescue Teams and lifeboat from Hartlepool RNLI were sent to the scene.”
The RNLI’s volunteer crews are on standby 24 hours a day, ready to respond to any call for help along the coast. The HM Coastguard provides essential coordination for maritime search and rescue operations.
HM Coastguard, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade were also spotted at James Cook University Hospital in preparation for the potential arrival of the Coastguard helicopter. A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “Cleveland Fire Brigade were called on 22/03/2024 at 9.37am to be on protective standby whilst the HM Coastguard Helicopter responded to a medical incident. One fire engine in attendance from Middlesbrough. We got the stop at 11.24am.”
About the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea. It operates over 238 lifeboat stations across the United Kingdom and Ireland, crewed by highly trained volunteers. To learn more or support their lifesaving work, visit RNLI website: https://rnli.org/.