CRUISE PASSENGER WITH APPENDICITIS EVACUATED BY BEMBRIDGE LIFEBOAT

A cruise ship passenger who developed symptoms of appendicitis just less than an hour after leaving port was evacuated by Bembridge RNLI lifeboat yesterday evening (Friday). The Regal Princess departed Southampton without a hitch but a short time into the journey, as the ship headed down Southampton Water, a passenger presented as unwell. Solent Coastguard was alerted to the situation with a tasking request sent out to Bembridge RNLI. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched the All Weather Lifeboat at just gone 17:30 and motored towards the Regal Princess as it headed East down The Solent. Rendezvousing off Lee-on-Solent, the lifeboat crew transferred the poorly passenger and made best speed to Portsmouth Harbour. It’s at The Camber that an ambulance was waiting to meet with the lifeboat and transport the passenger onwards to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.