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P&O Ferries helps rescue man in distress

Ferry Online Travel News 12/05/2008

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A 70-year-old man had to be helped from Lock Ryan

On May 7th, the coastguard had to coordinate with P&O Ferries and Stena Ferries in order to help save the life of a man. At quarter to three in the afternoon, a motorist notified the Liverpool Coastguard that a man had been seen in distress in the Loch Ryan in Dumfries and Galloway.

The man, who was in his 70’s, had been trying to climb from his 12 foot motorboat into an inflatable raft when it capsized. He incurred a head injury while attempting to pull himself out of the water back onto the boat. The scene was observed by a passing motorist who called for help.

In addition to liaising with the ferry services in the area, the Clyde Coastguard launched the Stranraer Coastguard Rescue Team and the Stranraer RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and Royal Navy helicopter Rescue 177. The ferries were asked to proceed cautiously along their regular route and be wary of encountering the distressed man, who was reportedly drifting across their path. P&O Ferries also launched their fast rescue craft to assist with the rescue operation.

The man was able to successfully climb on board his motorboat by himself although his head injury incapacitated him and made him unable to row ashore. A lifeboat towed the motorboat and the very cold man to shore and put him in a waiting ambulance.

Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager Peter Stewart said: "This man went out in an old boat with paddles made from five gallon oil drums to attempt to test out a children's inflatable with no lifejacket, no equipment and in a dangerous Loch which also happens to be a busy commercial port and ferry path.

It is entirely possible that, if it were not for the informant who saw the man in difficulty on the water that today could have ended in tragedy- be it through the man's head injury, the onset of hypothermia or a collision with any one of the commercial or passenger vessels that operate in the area.

We do not want to discourage people from enjoying the spate of good weather we have seen recently, but if you are enjoying a day on the water you must always remember to use the appropriate equipment and always wear a lifejacket."

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