Heart-Stopping Rescue: Crewman Airlifted from Chemical Tanker Off Selsey
The UK Coastguard scrambled the Selsey all-weather lifeboat to assist the 6,000-ton chemical tanker Ellen Essberger after a crew member suffered severe chest pains. The emergency team acted fast to evacuate the ill sailor to hospital.
Rapid Lifeboat Launch and Assessment
The Shannon class lifeboat Denise and Eric set off at 6.40pm on Saturday 16 February. They reached the tanker about 10 miles southeast of Selsey by 7.07pm amid a southerly wind and slight seas with a 2-metre swell.
Two crew members, including a paramedic, were sent onto the ship at 7.22pm. The paramedic suspected the Filipino crewman was having a heart attack. He warned that moving the man by stretcher onto the lifeboat could worsen his condition, recommending a helicopter evacuation instead.
Helicopter Drama and Critical Condition
Rescue 175 helicopter arrived at 8.17pm but struggled for 20 minutes to lower the winchman/paramedic. The transfer finally succeeded at 8.42pm via a hi-line. After using significant fuel, Rescue 175 returned to base to refuel.
Shortly after the winchman returned aboard, the casualty went into a violent seizure and lost consciousness. When the helicopter returned at 9.50pm, the winchman declared the crewman’s condition critical and too unstable to airlift. Paramedics feared a neurological event rather than a heart attack.
Tricky Lifeboat Transfer to Shore
With the helicopter unable to evacuate him, the tanker headed for the Solent’s pilot station near berkshire999.co.uk/where/portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth. After stopping south of Portsmouth Harbour, the lifeboat came alongside at 11.50pm.
The casualty was carefully transferred down the ship’s companion ladder to the lifeboat on a stretcher, accompanied by the helicopter paramedic and two lifeboat crew.
The lifeboat raced to Camber docks in Portsmouth Harbour, where an ambulance and Coastguard officers awaited. The sailor was handed over at 12.15am Sunday.
Lifeboat Crew Wrap-Up
The winchman was driven back to base by local Coastguard teams. The lifeboat left Camber dock at 12.41am, returning to Selsey by 1.53am. It was washed down, refuelled, and ready for action by 2.50am.
Coxswain Martin Rudwick led the crew, including Mechanic Geoff Mellett and crew members Max Gilligan, Will Moir, James Albrey, and trainee Terry Healey.
