“Howth Coast Guard, this is Fishing Trawler Alpha, Fishing Trawler Alpha” began the training exercise last Saturday. “We are moored in Howth Harbour and have a mechanic trapped injured in the engine room. Please assist immediately.”

Howth Coast Guard had organised a training exercise to evacuate an injured crewman from the engine room of a trawler. With engines running to simulate a noisy, hot & confined environment a Coast Guard team climbed down ladders, through tight hatches to the engine room below the water-line. The casualty had broken their ankle and received a suspected spinal injury on falling.

Trying to find best access to engine room.

One more level to go.

Leg Stuck.

Stabilising Casualty

Shouting over engine noise to create an evacuation plan.

Once stabilised, the casualty was transferred to a spine-board and stretcher for a vertical rescue through the hatches.

Emerging from the engine room.

Out of the engine room.

Carry through the middle deck to next hatch.

Up through the final hatch onto the upper deck and into daylight.

Carrying down the confined width outside the trawler wheelhouse.

Finally the casualty was transferred horizontally to another boat to reach along-side the pier.

Thanks to Skipper John Lynch on the trawler ‘Eblana‘ for allowing us to use his vessel for the training exercise.

Full photo gallery available.

Posted by admin on Thursday, November 29th, 2007 at 9:52 pm.