A crew member on board a large yacht that had just rounded Old Harry Rocks near Swanage, needed medical help after falling on the foredeck and injuring herself by landing heavily on some metal fittings.
Having just left Poole Harbour heading south on Monday 13th September 2021, the 68 foot sail training vessel was near Swanage Bay, so the Swanage all weather lifeboat was launched at 1.30 pm to give medical assistance to the injured crew member.
The coastguard and ambulance paramedics meet the yacht at Poole Quay and takeover the care of the injured woman from the Swanage Lifeboat crew
“Clearly injured and in need of help”
Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:
“The crew member managed to make their way back to the cockpit but was clearly injured and in need of help.
“The skipper contacted the UK Coastguard, who requested the immediate launch of the Swanage Lifeboat to rendezvous with the yacht and assist.
“The yacht had re-directed into Swanage Bay, so the lifeboat was alongside in just a few minutes and placed two crew on board to assess the situation.
“One crew provided casualty care to the injured sailor while equipment including Entonox pain-relieving gas was passed over from the lifeboat.”
Southbourne and Poole Coastguard teams removed the woman from the yacht onto a stretcher and into the ambulance at Poole Quay
Pain-relieving gas was given
The RNLI crew medical assessment suggested there was no need for emergency evacuation, so the crew decided that the most comfortable option was to motor the yacht back into Poole Harbour, while the casualty was closely monitored by the lifeboat crew and pain-relieving gas was given.
On arrival back at Poole Quay, the yacht was met by an ambulance crew and teams from Poole and Southbourne Coastguard.
Ambulance paramedics boarded the yacht to take over the care of the injured woman and coastguard teams moved her onto a stretcher and into the waiting ambulance.
The woman was then taken to Poole Hospital to be treated for her injuries.
