Sumburgh-based winch paramedic Mark ‘Spike’ Hughes was praised for his “unwavering professionalism” and leadership while helping a fisherman trapped on a Danish vessel in 2021. He received an individual commendation at the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society Skill & Gallantry Awards.
The search and rescue crew of the HM Coastguard helicopter based at Newquay was honoured twice, with the 2021 and 2022 Edward and Maisie Lewis awards for outstanding air sea rescues from the Society.
The winners were presented with awards during a ceremony at Fishmonger’s Hall, London, on Wednesday 5 October.
Mark Hughes
On the afternoon of Thursday 3 June 2021, the HM Coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh was sent to help a casualty trapped on a Danish fishing vessel 75m west of Shetland.
Mark Hughes was lowered to the bow of the vessel and found the fisherman trapped by heavy machinery in the fish hold. He had major injuries to his lower right leg. The situation was further complicated by the floor being awash with contaminated water.
The rest of the helicopter crew returned to Sumburgh for specialist cutting gear.
Hughes provided first-class care and support, as well as inspirational leadership for the vessel’s crew. A doctor, three firefighters and cutting equipment later arrived on a Norwegian SAR helicopter.
Hughes worked with the firefighters to free the casualty and provide continued medical care, before coordinating the safe transfer of the casualty to the helicopter, which transported the fisherman to a major trauma hospital.
Newquay helicopter crew’s Church Cove rescue
On Thursday 20 August 2020, the HM Coastguard helicopter based at Newquay was sent to help people caught in heavy surf in Church Cove, off the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, during Storm Ellen.
After a meticulous search of the cove a head was finally sighted in the surf below the aircraft. Winchman Paramedic, Niall Hanson, was lowered towards the casualty.
He was immediately struck by the first of a series of large waves as he and the casualty struggled to gain contact. It proved impossible to use a securing strop, so the crew winched Hanson and the casualty in quickly and skillfully without one.
After providing medical support, the casualty was taken to Treliske Hospital.
The Newquay helicopter crew were the heroes again on 29 July 2021, when 11 people were rescued during Storm Evert.
Over the course of four hours the helicopter was sent to five separate incidents at remote locations around the Scilly Isles in poor visibility and strong winds, to help six different vessels in distress.
The rescues included “exceptional airmanship” to extract the five person crew of a yacht which was at a 45 degree angle after running aground on some rocks.
The helicopter team also saved people from an inflatable life-raft who had abandoned another vessel which was taking on water, avoiding a yacht’s mast and rigging to execute a three person lift.
Storm Evert rescues by Newquay helicopter
The Newquay helicopter crew were the heroes again on 29 July 2021, when 11 people were rescued during Storm Evert.
Over the course of four hours the helicopter was sent to five separate incidents at remote locations around the Scilly Isles in poor visibility and strong winds, to help six different vessels in distress.
The rescues included “exceptional airmanship” to extract the five person crew of a yacht which was at a 45 degree angle after running aground on some rocks.
The helicopter team also saved people from an inflatable life-raft who had abandoned another vessel which was taking on water, avoiding a yacht’s mast and rigging to execute a three person lift.
‘Outstanding professionalism’
Captain Justin Osmond RN, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, said: “Mark Hughes’ calmness and professionalism in dealing with a serious medical emergency, while waiting for additional assistance is worthy of significant recognition. Despite his actions taking place in very unpleasant conditions, he remained calm and focused throughout.”
He added the Newquay HM Coastguard helicopter crew demonstrated “outstanding airmanship, professionalism and crew co-operation, combined with outstanding bravery and determination” during both rescues in 2020 and 2021 honoured by the two Edward and Maisie Lewis awards.
Notes:
- The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society offers support to seafarers and their dependents.
- The Newquay helicopter crew received the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for 2021 for the Church Cove rescue and the same award for 2022 for the Scilly Isles rescues. The giving out of the awards had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
