Bembridge Lifeboat was launched to assist a cruise ship passenger who had been taken unwell off the coast of the Isle of Wight during the early hours of this morning (Friday).
At just before 02:00, the volunteer RNLI crew launched the All Weather Lifeboat into the darkness in response to reports that a 63-year-old male passenger on board ‘Ventura’ was suffering from breathing difficulties.
Conditions were very benign so it did not take long for the lifeboat to reach the Nab Anchorage, where Ventura was located.
Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter from Lee on Solent had also been tasked. Once overhead, a paramedic was winched down onto the deck to assess the casualty’s condition.
It was decided to transfer the passenger to the ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ lifeboat, resulting in the man and his partner being conveyed to The Chamber at Portsmouth, along with the helicopter paramedic.
An ambulance was waiting at the dockside to take the man to Queen Alexandra Hospital when the lifeboat reached Portsmouth at 04:20.
The lifeboat subsequently returned to Bembridge and was re-housed by 05:30.
Amazing group of volunteers keeping silors and passengers safe around the clock. Hope the casualty makes a speedy recovery.
Good on all the volunteers who literally put their lives on the line 24/7 and of course to the family’s left behind who I would imagine are worried until they walk back through that door nice and safe.
If the purported passenger had been on one of the beautiful island beaches, all would have been well.