Time: 10:44 - 14:40

Bernard Matthews II
A worker on a supply vessel called The Putford Voyager got some nasty chemicals in his eye and needed to be taken to Hospital as soon as possible.

Caister Lifeboat was Launched at about 10.55 and preceeded at speed 35 miles offshore to evacuate the casualty.

It was pretty Lumpy out there with swells of up to 3 metres. We reached the vessel at about 12.10 and came alongside to extract the crewman. It was quite difficult in the conditions as the boat was heaving up and down but three of us went to the Bow of our boat to help him get on safely.

Once on board it was a matter of getting him back as quickly as possible so that he could get the much needed Medical treatment for his eye. We took the casualty to the Gorleston Lifeboat shed to unload as it is nearer for the Ambulance to get him to Hospital. The Gorleston Crewman who opened the shed for us joked that he would have start charging us mooring fees.

We arrived at Gorleston quicker than expected and had to wait for a few minutes for the Ambulance to turn up.

The Lifeboat was back on Station at 14.45

Crew were Coxswain Paul Williams, Assistant Coxswain Tommy Williams, Crewman Paul Garrod, and Crewman Jason Delf.

Tractor Driver for Launch was Crewman Richard Miles and recovery Ali Brown.

Beach crew who helped recover and wash down were Andy Hewitt, Jack Waitt, Richard Miles and Jonathon Banyard.