Kinghorn lifeboat crew rescue sick sailor

A crew from the RNLI in Kinghorn was called to rescue a crewmember on a product tanker after the coastguard was alerted.

The lifeboat was called just after 4:20pm yesterday afternoon and launched at half past four.

It's after the coastguard received a call for assistance reporting that a crewmember was suffering from a deteriorating medical condition on the product tanker Christian Essberger.

Only a handful of minutes later, the lifeboat was alongside the 100 metre long tanker.

The casualty was able to make his way down the ladder onto the lifeboat, was looked after and was subsequently taken to hospital in Kirkcaldy for more treatment.

Helm Scott McIlravie said: "We were quickly alongside the tanker and fortunately the casualty was able to climb down the ladder unaided.

"We prepared him for the short journey back to Kinghorn and returned to the lifeboat station.

"Our casualty care trained crew assessed and looked after the casualty until an ambulance arrived.

"He was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for further treatment.

"This was a successful job for our RNLI volunteers and we were able to get the casualty ashore for urgent treatment as quickly as possible."