Mar-Blanco Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

A dramatic medevac operation unfolded in the Atlantic Ocean when a Spanish fisherman aboard the trawler 'Mar Blanco' sustained severe head injuries following a fall. The incident occurred on January 21, 2012, prompting the Stornoway Coastguard rescue helicopter to be dispatched at around 10:30 AM. Given the critical nature of the situation, the Royal Air Force also placed a helicopter on standby for additional support after the Coastguard's surveillance aircraft had to turn back due to icing conditions. The 'Mar Blanco' was positioned a staggering 230 miles away from the closest landfall in north-west Shetland, a distance comparable to that between Glasgow and Manchester. The crew on board promptly contacted the vessel's owners in Spain, who notified the Spanish Coastguard. Through the prompt actions of the Clyde Coastguard, the distress signal was relayed to Stornoway. To enhance communication during the rescue operation, a Spanish translator was brought in to facilitate instructions for the complex high line transfer from the trawler to the rescue helicopter. The Coastguard emphasized the critical importance of close coordination between the fishing vessel and the airborne unit during this intricate maneuver. Once safely aboard, the injured crew member was transported to a hospital in Stornoway before being transferred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for further treatment due to the severity of his injuries. The challenging weather conditions, featuring strong winds reaching force nine and occasionally escalating to storm force ten, further complicated the rescue efforts, highlighting the bravery and professionalism of the rescue teams involved.