2 April 2007 - Crew member injured responding
to a Mayday
At 1510, both lifeboats launched to a Mayday from a 10m yacht, which
had engine failure and was struggling near Hook Sands and against
the tide in the Swash Channel.
As the inshore lifeboat (ILB) headed through the harbour’s
entrance, there was a moderate swell and Senior Helmsman Paul Singleton
slowed down to negotiate the short waves. However, as the ILB continued
slowly, it fell heavily off a large wave into a wave trough. As
they came off the wave, Paul reported to his crew (Simon Mumford
and Richard Skerman) that he had hurt his back and was in a lot
of pain. Richard and Simon quickly ensured that Paul didn’t
move his head, neck or spine, placed him in a neck collar and gave
him oxygen.
As the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) reached the entrance they transferred
another crew member (Stuart Newcombe) to the ILB to help bring the
lifeboat back to the Royal Motor Yacht Club where the crew were
met by an ambulance with Paramedic Peter Powell (also a crew member)
in attendance. Paul was carefully lifted off the ILB using a Dorset
Ambulance KED (Kendrick extrication device) and spine board and
was then taken to Poole hospital.
The ALB then continued on to the original casualty, which was slowly
making way against the tide. The two people onboard had rigged a
towing bridle ready for the arrival of the lifeboat, so they could
attach a towline. After dropping the sails, the yacht was then towed
to Dolphin Haven.
After X-rays and scans, Paul was found to have a compressed fracture
of the spine. He spent 2 weeks in hospital, and is now at home recovering.
He is only able to walk and lie down at the moment, with short spells
of sitting, and he has to wear a brace for at least 6 weeks. He
has weekly X-rays and check-ups, and will follow this with physiotherapy.
Only time will tell whether Paul will make a full recovery but
the early signs are encouraging. He is taking things day by day
and, for once, he is listening to everyone’s advice!
This incident certainly made all of us at Poole lifeboat station
think about the reality of volunteering to save lives at sea. If
this can happen to our most experienced and skilled crew member
then it could undoubtedly happen to any of us. It hasn’t stopped
any of us wanting to continue to volunteer but it has made us think
more about the risks involved.
Most of all though, we are grateful to the other crew members onboard
that day who, through their training, made sure that Paul’s
injury didn’t become any worse. It has also made us extremely
thankful that Paul is on the road to recovery.
We miss you Paul and we miss the banter with you – get well
and we all hope to see you back on the boat soon.
Lots of love and good wishes from all at Poole lifeboat station.
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