On its first visit back to Swanage in four years, The Waverley paddle steamer was held up, when a 71 year old man became unwell on board.
The last seagoing paddle steamer had to dock at Swanage Pier in the afternoon on Sunday 4th September 2022, while the emergency services were called.
The Waverley moored at Swanage Pier while paramedics go to the aid of an unwell passenger
Tours along the South Coast and around the Isle of Wight
In 2019 The Waverley had to cancel all its trips because of engine problems and then its operation was curtailed by Covid restrictions.
It’s now back offering tours along the South Coast and around the Isle of Wight during September 2022.
It was on a round trip from Southampton via Yarmouth and Swanage to view the Bournemouth Airshow from the sea, when the incident happened.
The coastguard teams helped wheel the man along the pier to the waiting ambulance
The Swanage Ambulance Car also arrived to help
“Stretcher the male off the vessel”
Swanage Coastguard reported:
“A 71 year old was taken unwell on board The Waverley.
“Alongside colleagues from South Western Ambulance Service, the coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans worked with the crew to safely stretcher the male off the vessel and into the ambulance.”
The Waverley was finally able to set off again at 2.15 pm.
The Waverley setting off from the pier after the man was safely handed over to the ambulance crews
A second incident at RSPB Arne
However the emergency services were back in action shortly afterwards to help a woman at the RSPB reserve in Arne.
According to Swanage Coastguard she had suffered a medical incident and due to the remote location it was difficult to get her to the ambulance.
At first, the coastguard team assisted the Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat crew, but then when the coastguard rescue helicopter arrived, it was able to airlift the woman to a safer location and then transfer her to the ambulance.
The coastguard search and rescue helicopter and ambulance at Arne
