XPLORER

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Medevac from Survey vessel in English Channel

25 Oct 2017 - An incident on board an inshore survey vessel off the Cornish coast in early October resulted in injuries to two crew members and a rescue effort that involved two lifeboats, an MCA rescue helicopter and a fisheries protection vessel as well as a brand new Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship standing by. The incident happened about two miles south of Dodman Point when an in-test compressed air storage cylinder ruptured on the deck of the 12m catamaran Xplorer (ex-MTS Xplorer), causing serious leg and hand injuries to one crew member and minor rib injuries to another. The fisheries protection vessel St Piran was first on the scene and its crew provided initial first aid, followed by the Falmouth RNLI Severn-class lifeboat which was launched within 15 minutes of the incident and helped to swiftly medevac the casualties by the Newquay-based rescue helicopter to hospital in Plymouth. The Fowey lifeboat also attended and took the damaged vessel in tow back to Falmouth while the third crew member was returned to port on the Falmouth lifeboat. The quick response by rescuers and the efforts of surgeons at Derriford Hospital meant the main casualty's injuries were treated quickly and he was released in less than a week. His co-worker was treated for minor injuries and returned home that day.