Search and rescue helicopter in 500-mile mercy dash

AUK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter made a 530-mile round trip to rescue a desperately unwell yachtsman 203NM west-south-west from the Isles of the Scilly, in rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean.

The yacht crew used their satellite phone to declare their Mayday to the Coastguard on 29 June. Due to the distance involved, communication with the vessel was patchy, so the UK Coastguard got the yacht to activate their EPIRB to establish their exact position. A Mayday relay broadcast was then issued.

A military fixed-wing aircraft and an Irish Casa fixed-wing aircraft took turns to establish communications with the vessel, relaying information back to the UK Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC). The Coastguard kept in constant contact with the vessel and relayed information to the Coastguard helicopter, which flew to the casualty from its base at Newquay.

The Coastguard helicopter refuelled in the Isles of Scilly and winched a crewman on board the yacht. The vessel was having trouble maintaining a steady course, so the crew were asked to stream their dinghy with the casualty in it to allow a swift pick-up while maintaining clearance from the yacht’s mast. On its return, the helicopter refuelled again in the Scillies and the casualty was landed at Newquay Airport for further transfer to Treliske Hospital.