Injured sailor rescued from vessel off Alderney at night

Guernsey Coastguard received a call from MRCC Jobourg – French coastguard – reporting receipt of a mayday from a sailing vessel two miles north-east of Alderney just after midnight.

There was one person on board and the skipper suspected he had broken his shoulder. After receiving the initial call all communication with the casualty had been lost.

MRCC Jobourg paged a French Navy helicopter and the French lifeboat Mona Rigolet.

Guernsey Coastguard tasked Airsearch 1 and Alderney Lifeboat and began developing a search plan with support from Alderney Coastguard. The initial intention was for both units to search the area around the Casquets Lighthouse as there were fears that the vessel may have grounded due to the strong south-westerly flowing tidal stream.

Airsearch 1 was airborne at 00.58am and quickly located a vessel matching the casualty’s description 1.5 miles south-west of Casquets.

The French Navy helicopter arrived on scene shortly after and was able to winch a crewman onto the sailing vessel.

Alderney Lifeboat arrived on scene at 1.39am with Airsearch 1 remaining airborne to provide top cover.

Once the casualty had been stabilised, the decision was made to transfer him to the Mona Rigolet to provide a stable platform to winch him into the helicopter.

Alderney Lifeboat stood by to assist as required.

Once all preparations were complete, the casualty was safely lifted into the helicopter and transferred to Cherbourg hospital. Mona Rigolet towed the stricken vessel back to Cherbourg Harbour.

Airsearch 1 and Alderney Lifeboat were both stood down shortly after 2.40am.

Search mission coordinator James Way said: ‘We are delighted that the casualty vessel was located, and the injured crewman winched to safety. Incidents like this demonstrate the excellent working relationship Guernsey Coastguard has with our French counterparts, as well as the interoperability between our search and rescue units.’