'Rigorous training' comes good as Invergordon RNLI crew rush to aid of Cromarty Firth oil rig casualty
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
LIFEBOAT crew in an Easter Ross town were scrambled for a mercy mission to a nearby rig yesterday after being tasked with helping an injured man.
Invergordon RNLI’s volunteer crew members were paged to launch the charity's Shannon class lifeboat to assist with a medical issue aboard an oil rig anchored within the Cromarty Firth.
The incident unfolded at around 9am on Friday.
- Invergordon RNLI open day in glorious sunshine
- Crew launches into storm aftermath as stricken yacht drifts through Sutors
- Rig workers' £1900 boost for RNLI
The lifeboat made the best speed possible for the short distance to the anchored rig where medical teams from the platform were giving casualty care to a man who had entered the water and cut his leg.
Upon arrival at 9:15am, the lifeboat approached the support barge already docked alongside to access the rig.
Two casualty-trained crew began casualty care assessment on the injured man.
The injured crew member was placed on a stretcher and medical attention continued once transferred to the lifeboat.
The boat then returned to Invergordon's West Harbour, where the Scottish Ambulance Service took over the care of the injured person.
Coxswain Andrew Murray said: "The call-out demonstrated the effectiveness of our training.Thanks to our rigorous training, the volunteer crew was able to respond quickly to the situation. The casualty care was precise and accurate, which helped to comfort the casualty during the transit back to shore.”
The lifeboat was washed, refuelled, and made ready for service by 10:15am.
Invergordon RNLI is based at Shore Road in Invergordon.
The volunteers crew a Shannon Class Lifeboat Agnes AP Barr.
The station, founded in 1974, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024 along with the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.
