Rescue bid sees charity tall ship awarded trophy

1:39pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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A SOUTHAMPTON sailing charity's tallship has been awarded a prestigious trophy for its part in a mid-sea rescue.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust's (JST) Lord Nelson, above, motored 12 miles off-course during the Sail Training International Tall Ships Race to help a stricken sailor onboard the German schooner Johann Smidt.

The tall ship received the call for help while racing towards the Dutch Port of Den Helder from Bergen in Norway.

Lord Nelson was closest to the vessel when the call went out and was able to assist as she was carrying both a doctor and a medical purser on board.

Volunteer doctor Simon Cunningham transferred to Johann Smidt and made the call to get the casualty airlifted to hospital in Newcastle.

For its part in the rescue Lord Nelson was awarded the Peter and Simon Crowther Memorial Trophy, given to the vessel which contributes most significantly to the aims of sail training during racing.

Captain Neil Duncan of the Lord Nelson said: "I'm very pleased for the crew and for the voyage doctor in their contributions towards helping to win this accolade."

The Jubilee Sailing Trust's chief executive, Amanda Butcher, added: "We are all extremely proud of Lord Nelson and her crew.

"Their actions truly reflect the spirit of the Tall Ships' Races and the JST ethos, not to mention, of course, bringing home another award for Great Britain - just like our Olympians in Beijing."