British Sea Cadet falls from Tallship Rigging

by www.Sail-world.com on 3 May 2010 Around 8:30pm on Sunday night, Britain’s Solent Coastguard received a ‘Mayday’ call from the Training Ship (TS) ‘Royalist’ stating a member of their crew had fallen over the side of the ship at Stokes Bay, whilst they were at anchor.

Solent Coastguard immediately scrambled the Coastguard Rescue helicopter from Solent and requested the launch of the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS).

Colin Griffiths, Watch Manager, Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said: 'The crew member fell overboard and was recovered by the sail training rib and transferred to the lifeboat; the unconscious young sailor was then taken by Rescue helicopter to the landing site for the Queen Alexandra Hospital.'

The 14 year old sea cadet, a schoolboy from Kent died after falling from the rigging of the training ship during a celebration weekend to mark the organisation's 150th anniversary. The youngster had been furling the sails on the Tall Ship Royalist. The crew of the Royalist managed to reach him within four minutes. It is not know if he hit his head in the fall.

Today this statement was issued by the Marine Society & Sea Cadets

’The charity is deeply saddened to report that a tragic and fatal accident occurred on Sea Cadet training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2, 2010. Our thoughts are with the young cadet’s family at this distressing and painful time. The charity is now working with the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full details of what happened and offering every assistance to the local authorities and Police.

’The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by experienced and qualified crew. This tragic fatality is the first the ship has experienced since she was commissioned in 1971.’