Search and Rescue by NewcyBlue 30 Sep 2020 17:21
At 1630GMT we received a call from a search and rescue aircraft, they had sighted small craft heading North towards the Canary Islands.

At the time I was 54m above sea level changing signal lights on the signal mast.

I was radioed and informed that I was needed on the bridge. The radars were started, which were turned off as I was up the signal mast.

After we were given the position of the boats we proceeded at full speed.

Approximately 36 minutes later we were in sight of two small boats. We called Las Palmas Marine Rescue Coordination Centre and informed them of what we had found. They told us that we should escort the boats North to the safety of a Spanish search and rescue vessel.

We were told that if necessary we may be required to rescue the persons on the boats.

As medical Officer I had preparations to make.

- The hospital was prepared
- First aid bag and oxygen was prepared
- Covid precautions for my crew was prepared
- A camera and notepad and pen was prepared.

I’m also in charge of life saving appliances such as life rafts and boats. I then proceeded to prepare

- The rescue boat, including inflatable life jackets for the rescue boat crew
- lifebuoys were stood by
- transponders for search and rescue that show up on the radar.
- Portable VHF radio for the rescue boat crew
- Additional lines that may be needed for towing the craft

After preparing this, I took two of my crew to lock the accommodation down, followed by all other accessible spaces on board.

The place was that we would keep the migrants in one place, we have to ensure the safety of the crew as well as the migrants. We also have to ensure the security of the vessel.

After doing a couple of meal reliefs to ensure other officers had some dinner, I went for some rest. There was nothing more that I could do.

We got the migrant boats to safety, in all there were four boats.