Redcar RNLI volunteers honoured after South Gare rescue

By Redcar RNLI published 17 February, 2012 No Comments

Redcar RNLI helmsman Mike Picknett is to be awarded one of the RNLI’s highest honours – the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum – following the rescue of a man from treacherous seas last year.

Redcar RNLI Helmsman Mike Picknett

The man, who had been fishing, was washed from the South Gare breakwater by a large wave on 24 October. Redcar RNLI Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat was launched with Mike Picknett, aged 43, in command along with crew members Mark Reeves (41) and Barry Knaggs (43).

The casualty was close to the breakwater and, with a force 6 easterly wind and swell of 3 to 4 metres, there was a real risk the lifeboat would be dashed against it. However, thanks to great seamanship and judgement, Helmsman Picknett was able to manoeuvre the lifeboat alongside the casualty at the first attempt so the crew could grab the man and get him onboard.

As the lifeboat headed for the calmer waters of the River Tees, crewmen Reeves and Knaggs began CPR on the man and continued for some time, fitting an airway to help him breathe. They were joined by Hartlepool inshore lifeboat and one of the crew, Richard Shaw (33) was transferred onto Redcar lifeboat to continue CPR on the casualty, giving the exhausted Redcar crew a brief respite. The casualty was transferred to a rescue helicopter and taken to hospital, where sadly he died later.

The decision to award Helmsman Picknett with the Vellum was made at a meeting of the charity’s Trustee Committee on Wednesday 15 February. Crew members Reeves and Knaggs will receive Framed Letters of Thanks signed by the RNLI Chairman. Crew member Shaw is to receive a Letter of Appreciation signed by the Chairman of the RNLI Medical and Survival Sub-Committee.

Sarah Nimmo-Scott, RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector, North, said: ‘This was a short but very intense service carried out in harsh conditions close inshore with no margin for error. The helmsman showed immense skill and good judgement in his boat handling and had a clear plan in his head before committing the lifeboat to the situation. The crew were placed in a lot of danger working in breaking seas but willingly trusted in the ability of the helmsman. They had to use all their strength in order to keep hold of the casualty and were physically exhausted by the efforts they put into the resuscitation attempt.

‘With nearly 75 years’ RNLI service between the three Redcar crew, this service put into practice all the skills developed over those years and they worked extremely well together as a team. This was the first time that they had carried out CPR and they worked for a sustained period until they were exhausted. They did everything in their power to save this man and it was with great sadness that we learnt he had later died in hospital.’

RNLI Rescue Scenario

Redcar and Hartlepool RNLI. 24 October 2011

At 3.42pm on 24 October 2011, Humber Coastguard requested the launch of the Redcar lifeboat following a report of a person washed off the South Gare Breakwater. The lifeboat launched at 3.52pm with Helmsman Picknett in command and Crewmen Reeves and Knaggs. The two lifeboats from Hartlepool were also launched. After launch, Redcar lifeboat contacted police helicopter I55 on VHF which was hovering above the casualty and was trying to assist by lowering a line and float to the man. The lifeboat was on scene in around four minutes but en route they were informed by the helicopter that the man was face down in the broken water very close to the rough concrete wall. On their approach, the lifeboat crew could see men standing on the breakwater indicating the location of the casualty.

The weather on scene was easterly force 6 with the wind having blown from the same direction for the previous few days. There was a large swell of around 3-4 metres approaching the breakwater from an angle of around 45 degrees. This caused a reflection back from the structure creating confused seas in the vicinity. This was coupled with a patch of shoal ground towards the southern end of the breakwater with insufficient depth for the lifeboat and breaking waves over the top. The visibility was good and it was daylight.

The man was within 5 metres of the jagged concrete wall with the surf breaking onto the wall and reflecting back creating large peaks and troughs. There was not enough sea room to manoeuvre the lifeboat down sea of the man due to the breakwater and the shoal patch. The lifeboat was in significant danger at this point and could easily have been picked up and pounded against the pier and its protrusions. At an opportune moment Helmsman Picknett managed to turn the lifeboat head to sea before a large wave stood it on its end. At this point the crew were able to see the man astern of the lifeboat very close to the wall.

Helmsman Picknett negotiated one more wave and then manoeuvred the lifeboat astern down sea until the man was slightly ahead of the lifeboat on the port side. The helmsman waited for the next wave to pass and then positioned the lifeboat alongside the man at the first attempt. Crew members Reeves and Knaggs grabbed hold of the man and tried to recover him into the lifeboat. They were unable to lift him as he was unconscious and his clothing was waterlogged, making him very heavy. Large waves were breaking over the lifeboat but the crew men managed to keep hold of the casualty. Helmsman Picknett had to make the difficult decision to briefly leave the helm in order to assist his two crew. He pulled the casualty’s legs into the lifeboat while the crewmen lifted his body over the sponson.

Once the casualty was onboard, Helmsman Picknett manoeuvred the lifeboat out through the heavy surf with the intention of entering the calmer waters of the River Tees. As soon as was practicable, the crew moved the casualty further down the boat, lay him on his back and commenced CPR. They managed to fit an airway to the casualty and used a bag/valve/mask to assist their CPR. Crewmen Reeves and Knaggs took turns at performing the chest compressions. Helmsman Picknett contacted Humber Coastguard and advised them of his intention to take the casualty to the Harbour Master’s jetty and requested that an ambulance meet them there. He was informed that RAF Helicopter Rescue 128 was en route from Leconfield with an estimated time of arrival of 15 minutes. He recommended that the helicopter keep proceeding so that they could evacuate the casualty.

Shortly after entering the River Tees, the Hartlepool inshore lifeboat approached astern of the Redcar lifeboat and Helmsman Picknett requested the transfer of one crew member to assist with CPR. Crewman Shaw from Hartlepool was transferred whilst underway and immediately helped with the continuing CPR on the casualty thus giving the exhausted Redcar crew a brief of respite.

With Rescue 128 five minutes away, Redcar lifeboat berthed at the Harbour Master’s jetty and four crew from the Hartlepool all-weather lifeboat, were transferred to assist with CPR. At around 4.20pm, winching was completed, the helicopter transported the casualty to hospital and all lifeboats involved returned to their respective stations. The casualty survived for a few hours however he sadly passed away during the night.