Press Notice No: 388-08
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Posted 16:23 GMT

At ten minutes to seven yesterday evening, Falmouth Coastguard received a satellite call from the 28,148 gross tonnes, cargo vessel Anna Rickmers requesting medical advice.

Pave Hawk Helicopter

The Master of the vessel was tele-connected by Falmouth Coastguard to the duty doctor at Queen Alexandria Hospital, Portsmouth and appropriate medical advice was given to help stabilize the injured crewman. The injured crewman, a Burmese national, had sustained spinal and cranial injuries and needed to be evacuated to hospital for expert medical care.

The vessels position at the time of the initial call was 580 nautical miles south west of Ireland, and the Master has been requested to steer a course to a position that will place them 200 nautical miles south west of Ireland at approximately six thirty this evening.

Falmouth Coastguard contacted the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre at RAF Kinloss to ascertain what air rescue assets were available.

After discussion with the American authorities at RAF Lakenheath, it was decided to put together a mission to evacuate the Burmese sailor from the ship.

Two Sikorsky HH_60G Pave Hawk helicopters and a C130 Hercules refueling aircraft with top cover provided by a RAF Nimrod are expected to be with the vessel at eight oclock this evening to evacuate the man.

Andy Cattrell, Watch Manager, Falmouth Coastguard said:

This man needs immediate expert medical care and the only way to get him to hospital quickly is by helicopter evacuation and we are pleased to be able to coordinate this life saving mission in cooperation with our Search and Rescue partners.

Posted By: Fred Caygill

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