News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Date: 03/12/2008	Rye Harbour 043 2008

Fisherman's arm caught in winch

Rye Harbour RNLI relief Lifeboat B722, launched at 6.55 am to the assistance of fishing boat 'Vic Anna' after her skipper called Dover Coastguard for help after his arm became entangled in the net winch. Lifeboat B722 arrived along side the casualty at 7.18 am, which was eight miles south east of Rye Harbour. The crew from Rye Harbour Lifeboat boarded 'Vic Anna' to assess the severity of the injury - there was no open wound, it was suspected that the skipper had broken his upper arm.

Dungeness All Weather Lifeboat was also tasked to the incident. It was decided due to the state of the tide at Rye Harbour and the need for a low water recovery that Dungeness Lifeboat would recover the casualty, where he would be transferred to hospital by ambulance from Dungeness lifeboat station. The casualty's arm had gone round the winch a couple of times before he was able to release his limb.

Tony Edwards, RNLI Deputy Launching Authority for Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat, said: ‘This is one of he hazards of working in a dangerous environment. Here at Rye Harbour we train on a regular basis which also includes training with Dungeness Lifeboat. Training for this kind of incident is essential as it can be a matter of life and death. Today, only 1 in 10 crew members join the RNLI from a professional maritime occupation.’

Notes to editors

Rye Harbour lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/ryeharbour

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Steve Tollett, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on news@ryeharbourlifeboat.co.uk or Tim Ash, Deputy Media Relations Manager South East and London on 07785 296252 or tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland