'Independence' pax medevaced

[jleq]

http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/9079805.Woman_airlifted_from_cruise_ship/?ref=rss

[Ocean Boy]

Thanks. I have to say that I agree with some on the comments made about the article. I don't quite get what was so "daring" about landing on a helipad that was made just for that purpose. I am not saying that it doesn't take skill but the write-up seemed a bit dramatic.

[Cotswold Eagle]

Thanks. I have to say that I agree with some on the comments made about the article. I don't quite get what was so "daring" about landing on a helipad that was made just for that purpose. I am not saying that it doesn't take skill but the write-up seemed a bit dramatic.

 

Unfortunately it wasn't made for just that purpose The helipad wasn't strong enough for the rescue helicopter to land, so the pilot had to do a power up touchdown, keeping the rotors going to take the weight. That's pretty tough, especially on a moving ship. The Coastguard has described it as "a supreme example of skill", and I'm happy to take their word for it :)

[Ocean Boy]

Unfortunately it wasn't made for just that purpose The helipad wasn't strong enough for the rescue helicopter to land, so the pilot had to do a power up touchdown, keeping the rotors going to take the weight. That's pretty tough, especially on a moving ship. The Coastguard has described it as "a supreme example of skill", and I'm happy to take their word for it :)

 

What purpose was it made for?

[sparky-elpaso]

What purpose was it made for?

 

Probably lighter weight ones. Rescue choppers tend to be larger and heavier since they carry more crew and equipment.

[MattyBarlow]

Press Notice No: 156-11

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Posted 23:40 GMT

 

SICK PASSENGER AIRLIFTED FROM SHIPS MOVING DECK BY COASTGUARD HELICOPTER

 

At 8.30 pm this evening, the cruise liner Independence of the Seas called Portland Coastguard to report they had a very sick passenger on board in need of urgent evacuation.

 

The passenger is wheelchair-bound with very little mobility and the ships captain reported that she was in a critical condition.

 

The coastguard rescue helicopter was scrambled from Portland and flew out to intercept the cruise ship approximately 23 miles south of Portland Bill.

 

Additional complications were that the casualty and wheelchair were too heavy for the helicopter winch capability, and the ships helicopter landing pad too light for the six tonne all-up weight of the helicopter. The helicopter winch-man was put on board the ship to assess the situation, and while doing so the rescue helicopter flew back to the airbase to take on more fuel.

 

When the helicopter arrived back on scene at 10.16 pm, the passenger was ready for an airlift and the ships crew had cleared the decks of benches and other loose items which might have endangered the helicopter.

 

As the ship was approaching the beginning of the Off-Casquets Traffic Separation Scheme south of Portland Bill, Portland Coastguard broadcast a request to all shipping in the area to give the rescue operation a wide berth. Several ships were seen to comply.

 

In a supreme example of skill, the coastguard helicopter pilot touched the wheels of the aircraft onto the moving deck of the Independence of the Seas, keeping the rotors powered-up so that no weight was taken by the relatively fragile landing pad.

 

The passenger, in her wheelchair, was lifted into the hovering helicopter, along with her husband, and airlifted to Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, where they were met by coastguard rescue officers from the Wyke Regis Coastguard Rescue Team at 11.35 pm.

 

 

 

Posted By: Joanne Groenenberg

 

 

For further details contact:

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office

023 8032 9401

[Shelley61]

We were on the previous cruise and we had two medical emergencies on board while we at sea (none of which requiring a helicopter - rumour has it at least one emergency was too late for that), the explosion in Gibraltar, force 10 gales and rough seas in the Med and the police being called to our "too loud" party under the stars on the Pool Deck in Pallma...

 

Looks like the next cruise is proving to also be eventful. I hope the lady concerned is OK.

[mo&fran]

We have seen several helicopter evacuations and in every instance the ship came to a complete stop. Never did see a copter actually land though.

[Scotsnomad]

During nornal SAR (Search & Rescue) operations requiring the use of a helicopter for medical evacuations the standard procedure is for the helicopter pilot to ask the Capt of the vessel to heading in a specific direction/speed to allow the crew to recover the injured person(s).

 

It is a lot harder to winch in still air and also the aircraft fuel consumption is normally greater.

 

:):)

[snowman]

2 years ago on a HAL we witnessed this this on a cruise back to FLL. These Pilots are amazing. The first thing we heard was a announcement from the Bridge to clear the deck and all venues to shut down including the casino. We were on the pool deck when all of the crew from waiters to the MD asked to go to our stateroom until cleared. The CG pilot did a fly around to check if any chairs and tables would blow around during the propwash. He held true for about 5 minutes. We were in a suite on the port side of the ship and he came really close, we could see the insturmant panel on the Helo. There was a rescue swimmer hanging on the edge of the Helo. The ship turned to the wind and the Helo matched speeds. We could not see the front of the ship but the Helo was in and our in about 3-4 minutes and was gone. These rescue swimmers and the crew of the Helo were amazing to say the least. It will stick in our minds forever. The Coast Guard are true heros. We understand that the person they plucked off did really well and recoverd.