Defence Online

HMS Monmouth saves fisherman’s life

Maritime September 21, 2016

Whilst on exercise in the North Atlantic, HMS Monmouth broke off war games and dashed to the help save the life of a Canadian fisherman.

Taking part in Canada’s largest naval exercise in two decades, the Plymouth-based frigate picked up a mayday signal while her board and search teams were working their way through a training ship as part of the exercise.

The Mayday signal called for help after a crew member of the trawler Double Mischief had fallen badly and was suffering possible heart problems as a result.

Monmouth’s boarding teams abandoned their search of their training vessel, the MV Leeway Odyssey, and raced at top speed in their boats to the fishing vessel which was ten miles away, highlighting the flexibility and professionalism of Navy crews.

Within minutes a small medical team was sent over to the fishing vessel and determined the crew member was in urgent need of hospital treatment, he was then carefully carried by one of Monmouth’s boats back to the frigate, while a Seahawk helicopter was scrambled by another participant of the exercise, the American supply ship USNS Robert E Peary.

“This is a perfect example highlighting the flexibility and professionalism of my team who rapidly switched roles in response to real-world events,” said Commander Phil Tilden, Monmouth’s Commanding Officer.

“It also demonstrates the fantastic partnership that the Royal Navy has with the US and Royal Canadian Navies such that we can operate seamlessly together to pool resources and deliver results – which in this instance undoubtedly saved a life.”

After evacuating the casualty the warship switched its attention back to exercise Cutlass Fury, bringing her ship’s company to Action Stations to fight alongside her NATO partners, the USS Berkeley and USS Gonzalez, in a simulated air attack using real Canadian F-18 fighter jets as the adversary.

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Canada exercise HMS Monmouth Mayday Navy Royal Navy

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.