Life-saving drama as lifeboat medivacs stroke victim from cruise ship at sea
Emergency Call-Out
At 7.26pm on April 9, the RNLB Alfred Albert Williams was scrambled by the UK Solent Coastguard. The mission: a Medivac from the P&O cruise ship Aurora, anchored in Nab Anchorage. A crew member was suspected to have suffered a stroke.
Swift Rescue Despite Minor Delay
The sea was calm with gentle southeasterly winds and small half-metre swells. The lifeboat reached Aurora swiftly by 7.45pm. A short wait followed as the ship rigged its side pontoon to help transfer the casualty.
Patient Transfer and Safe Return
By 8.18pm, two lifeboat crew boarded Aurora to assist the able-to-walk casualty onto the lifeboat. They then raced to Portsmouth Camber, arriving at 8.45pm to pass the patient to waiting paramedics. The Alfred Albert Williams was back at Bembridge by 9.30pm, with the crew safe and sound.
