The Reimerswaal: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On September 7, 2022, the dedicated volunteer team aboard the Sheerness all-weather lifeboat ‘Judith Copping Joyce’ received a critical mission from the UK Coastguard. They were instructed to meet the dredger ‘Reimerswaal’ at The Warps pilot boarding area in the Thames estuary to conduct a medical evacuation for a crew member suffering from severe arm fractures. The lifeboat launched at 4:57 PM with a six-member crew, swiftly arriving on the scene by 5:45 PM. The injured worker was efficiently transferred from the ‘Reimerswaal’ to the lifeboat, along with a companion for support. Following the transfer, the lifeboat made its way back to the boathouse in Sheerness, reaching it by 6:32 PM. Upon arrival, the team requested an ambulance for immediate medical assistance; however, due to potential delays of three to four hours, a decision was made for one of the crew to drive both men to Medway Hospital. By 6:45 PM, the lifeboat was re-fueled, cleaned, and prepared for further operational readiness. A detailed report along with photographs can be found at the RNLI website: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2022/september/08/injured-seaman-transferred-to-rnli-lifeboat-in-offshore-rescue.