FV HUBA MINAH LAH

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Latest news

Report on assistance could not be submitted..

..as the system falsely claimed it was too short. Link: https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/16981993.lizard-lifeboat-crew-member-injured-during-rescue/

Medevac in 40 ft waves off Milford Haven

On Mar 21, 2013, the Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was contacted by the French authorities just before midday to say a fisherman aboard the "Alf" needed to be evacuated. Watch keeping staff at Milford Haven MRCC tried to make contact with the vessel, but this was made difficult as the captain of the vessel spoke little English, so translation had to be arranged by satellite phone. With help from English and French coastguards, the RAF Chivenor relayed information on how best to get the injured crewtheman off the boat. The RAF search and rescue helicopter from Chivenor was sent to the scene but weather conditions proved too tricky for a winchman to be lowered on to the vessel to recover the casualty 30 nautical miles west of St. Ann's Head. He had suffered blows to his head as his trawler rose and fell up to 40 feet in surging waves. HMS "Echo" of the Royal Navy vessel, and the RNLI lifeboat Angle attended the rescue. HMS "Echo" was fortunate to have a gunnery officer aboard who studied French at University College London before joining the Royal Navy. Once the "Echo" was called in, the ship attempted to provide some shelter for the RNLI lifeboat to get alongside the French fishing vessel but once again the weather prevented a rescue. This left them with no choice but to escort the fishing vessel closer inland before the helicopter was able to winch the injured fisherman to safety. A rescue swimmer needed six attempts to be winched on to the French boat as the swell threatened to roll the vessel. Several attempts were made to transfer the casualty to the RNLI lifeboat - and the helicopter was forced to return to land to refuel - before a Sergeant Rachel Robinson successfully boarded the French trawler. The fisherman was lifted to safety and treated for head injuries and hypothermia as the RAF helicopter took him to Swansea's Morriston Hospital in Swansea. The wind at the time was blowing a south easterly gale force 8 (39-46 mph), with rough seas. Reports with photos: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sergeant-rachel-robinson-raf-helicopter-1779609 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2297697/Mayday-Moment-French-fisherman-plucked-stormy-Irish-sea-17-FOOT-wave-sinks-boat.html?ito=feeds-newsxml http://bfbs.com/news/uk/royal-navy-crew-aid-rescue-fisherman-63134.html