Emergency services save man’s life in night-time rescue at Ecréhous

The St Catherine’s lifeboat being launched. Picture: RNLI Jersey.

A LARGE search and rescue operation was launched on Friday evening after a French vessel started taking on water at the Ecréhous leaving a man stranded in the water in ‘rough conditions’.

The RNLI St Catherine’s Lifeboat located the man – who was ‘suffering the effects of cold water immersion’ – seven miles off shore, less than 45 minutes after the mayday call.

Jersey Coastguard said they were ‘in awe’ of the lifeboat crew for their efforts.

Jersey Coastguard helped coordinate the search and rescue operation, which also involved the Channel Island Air Search, RNLI St Helier all-weather lifeboat, RNLI St Catherine’s lifeboat. two French helicopters and one French lifeboat.

Jersey Coastguard said they wanted to thank the crews of all the assets ‘assisted in saving this persons life tonight’.

‘The brave men and women who volunteer to head out to sea at night in rough conditions humble us with their bravery,’ they added.

The man putting on his lifejacket before going in the water ‘undoubtedly contributed to his life being saved this evening’, according to Jersey Coastguard.

After being rescued, the man was transferred to the French lifeboat and taken back to France for medical assistance.

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