The volunteer crew of the St. Mary''s Severn class all weather lifeboat The Whiteheads went to the rescue of an injured French fisherman in the early hours of Tuesday 27 April.
Following a request for assistance from the French fishing vessel Mor Breiz situated 19 miles North West of the islands, The Whiteheads, under the command of Coxswain Andy Howells was launched at 4.05am. No helicopter support from RNAS Culdrose was available because of foggy conditions on the mainland.
St. Mary's G.P. Dr. Toby Dalton was picked up from the quay and the lifeboat met with the vessel at 5.06am. The injured fisherman was taken onboard, given medical attention and doctor and patient were transferred to St. Mary's hospital once the lifeboat arrived alongside the quay at 5.41am.
The conditions were calm and it gave an opportunity for two recent volunteer recruits, Ben Blackwell and Daniel May, to go on their first call-out.
By 6.22am The Whiteheads was refuelled, back on station and ready for service.
