BRIXHAM COASTGUARD ASSIST FISHERMAN

Brixham Coastguard received a report during the afternoon of 12 June 2001 to a 28 year old deck hand who had taken ill on board the 10.5 metre fishing vessel ‘Our Joe L’ which normally operates out of Torbay.

The crew of the vessel, which was then 11 miles south east of Berry Head, reported that the man was suffering from blurred vision and had become semi-conscious. His pulse was also very rapid. Brixham Coastguard connected the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary who handle such marine emergency calls with the vessel, and after a doctor had spoken to the crewman for some time the Coastguard were then advised that he should be evacuated to dry land as soon as possible.

Brixham Coastguard then alerted Torbay lifeboat, which immediately launched to the vessel and upon arrival put two crewmen on board the fishing vessel with oxygen to aid the man.

Alf Tupper, Brixham Coastguard watch manager said, " Fortunately the lifeboat managed to get to the vessel quickly and administer oxygen to the sick man. He was then evacuated from `Our Joe L’ to Torbay Marina where an ambulance was waiting. He was then transported to hospital.