The all-weather lifeboat at RNLI New Quay, UK, was launched last week to the assistance of a badly injured crew member of the scallop trawler Lerina positioned nine miles south west of the town.
The man, who had suffered serious head and neck injuries while attempting to operate lifting gear, was attended by two of the lifeboat crew who boarded the trawler to administer first aid before he was airlifted by an RAF Valley Sea King helicopter to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
The two RNLI volunteer crew remained onboard the trawler while attempts were made to free the fouled lifting gear and allow the vessel to make its way to Fishguard. Sea conditions during the incident were moderate in an easterly force 4 wind. Scallop fishing in Cardigan Bay had resumed only two days beforehand.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Roger Couch commented: “Both volunteer lifeboat and shore crew who attended to the incident showed remarkable dedication. The boat was at sea for over eight hours and the supporting shore personnel had to be available in the meantime.”
Cardigan lifeboat, which was on exercise, assisted by bringing two divers who subsequently freed the lifting gear allowing the trawler to return to Fishguard. The crew man made a good recovery and has now been released from hospital.
