• Question: If you see a ship sinking in the sea, do you swim for it and rescue the people inside, or do you call the crew and set out on a rescue boat-if yes, did you ever lose someone, or just barely save someone? Just curious :-)

    Asked by Vector to Tam on 20 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Tamsin Dobrowolska

      Tamsin Dobrowolska answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      Great question. It would really depend on where I was and where the ship was. If a ship is sinking the situation is already really desperate. If I was on land and I saw a ship in distress I would immediately call 999 and ask for the coastguard. I would describe the situation to the coastguard and remain on scene to update them. The coastguard would launch the relevant rescue services (the RNLI, rescue helicopter etc.) and would also be talking to the sinking ship and other nearby ships and boats who might be able to help out.

      If I was on a boat nearby myself, then I would actually have to (as I would be obliged by maritime law) to try and help in anyway. Again, the first thing I would do is radio for the coastguard, then I would stay on scene and do whatever I could (maybe take casualties onboard my ship or just standby and act as a radio ship).

      It is very rare for a rescuer (unless you are USCoastGuard rescue swimmer!) to swim to a sinking ship. You aren’t much help if you do that because you will then just be another person on a shining ship (and you will be wet and tired from the swim!).

      As part of the RNLI I have saved a number of boats from sinking and stepped onto a number of ships to take off a casualty. So, yes I have saved a number of people and, sadly, yes I have had to help someone who did not make it in the end. This is always really sad and shows how powerful water is. We must always respect the water and by very careful when we use it for work and play! 🙂

Comments