A pair of Irish Coast Guard helicopters conducted a medevac of an injured crewman at Rockall. Alan Addison Photos
The crew of the Scottish trawler Venture II BF326 is praising the crew of two Irish Coast Guard helicopters for their professionalism and bravery in a remarkable medevac operation.
The Venture II was in the unfortunate position recently of having an injured crewman who required evacuation while fishing at Rockall over 200 miles from shore in the North East Atlantic.
The Skipper Alan Addison initially alerted the situation to Stornoway Coastguard, Kinloss ARCC then took over the coordination of the medevac, and because of the boat’s position, asked Malin Coast Guard MRCC to take charge of the situation and they tasked Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 from Sligo to attempt an evacuation.
Rescue 118 arrived on the scene at 6:00 a.m. after a 230-nm flight and found the boat rolling and pitching heavily in 30-knot winds and a massive swell. Despite spending 45 minutes attempting to get their winchman onboard, the medevac had to be aborted and due to low fuel Rescue 118 returned to base.
At 9:30 a.m., Malin Head tasked Rescue 115 based in Shannon to make a second medevac attempt as the conditions at Rockall were beginning to settle. After a refuel stop at Blacksod Bay, Rescue 115 arrived at the Venture II at midday.
The medevac was a dangerous operation due to high winds and a massive swell.
Despite the wind easing, the swell was still making the medevac a very dangerous operation and it was the skill and coordination of the crews of the Venture II and Rescue 115 that enabled a successful extraction of the injured crewman.
The Irish Air Corps Casa 253 Maritime Patrol Aircraft monitored the operation, providing top cover for the duration.
The injured crewman Nicol is expected to make a full recovery following medical care received at Sligo hospital followed by an operation at the spinal unit in Dublin. He is now at home recuperating, which will take three to six months.
Speaking to the Skipper, Alan Addison said: “On behalf of myself, the injured crewman Nicol ,the owners and crew of Venture II BF326, I would like to extend our appreciation of the co-ordination efforts made by Stornoway Coastguard, Kinloss ARCC , Malin Head Coast Guard MRCC during Nicol’s recent medevac in stormy conditions on Rockall Bank.”
“A huge thank-you for the remarkable skill and bravery shown by both Rescue 118 and Rescue 115 of the Irish Coast Guard, to which we will forever have a debt of gratitude.”
