Press Notice No: Duty Notice 2
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Posted 07:14 GMT

Her Majestys Coastguard have been engaged this morning co-ordinating the urgent airlift of a newly born premature baby girl and its mother to a hospital from a vessel off the South Coast.

The first call to Brixham Coastguard occurred at 4.00 am this morning when the crew of the P&O ferry Pride of Bilbao alerted the authorities to the unfolding situation. The vessel was 30 nautical miles south south east of Start Point at the time on its way to Bilbao at the time.

The baby which was due to be born in January and was 12 weeks premature and its 38 year old mother are both poorly and were being looked after by the doctor and nurse on board. After medical advice from the doctor on call it was decided that the most appropriate neo natal unit required to treat both patients is located at Wonford hospital, Exeter.

The Air Rescue Co-Ordination Centre at Kinloss were contacted and due to the distances and speed the Coastguard Rescue helicopter at Lee on Solent was allocated the task of airlifting both to the unit.

The vessels crew was advised to alter its course and head towards the Coast to be able to lessen the time and distances required to get the two casualties to hospital whilst the aircraft was en route.

At 5.20 am as the helicopter approached, the ship the ships altered course and at a steady speed of 19 knots the helicopter began an intricate high line manoeuvre in order to get a winchman to the deck of the vessel just behind the bridge in order to prepare and winch mother and baby into the aircraft. This was completed successfully and by 10 past 6.00 both were on their way to the mainland.

Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were turned out to man the helicopter landing area at Wyvern Barracks ready for an ambulance to take both individuals to the specialised Unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital at Wonford.

Mark Satchell, Watch Manager at Brixham Coastguard said

Fortunately the weather conditions are reasonably good this morning with a smooth or slight sea, fair conditions and good visibility. The transfer was undertaken speedily and we have offered mother and baby all our very best wishes. Our thanks are also due to the Master and crew of the vessel for their highly efficient manner in which they dealt with this emergency.



Posted By: Mark Clark

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401