Gibraltar personnel help save stricken cargo ship crew

The 24-year-old Liberian-registered bulk carrier MV Fedra and its 31 Croatian and Filipino crew members were blown onto the rocks around the lighthouse at Europa Point, the southerly tip of Gibraltar, in savage storm conditions.

As it lay pinned by pounding waves at the base of sheer cliffs and in darkness a major rescue attempt was launched led by Gibraltar's civilian emergency services with considerable assistance from MOD units based in the British Overseas Territory.

The MOD tug 'Capable' (used for shipping visiting Royal Navy vessels around the harbour), whose crew were recalled from leave, deployed to assist the Port Authority on Friday morning when it had already become clear that the MV Fedra, anchored on the eastern side of the Rock, was dragging her anchor and unable to hold her position.

Despite the efforts of the Port Authority and Spanish Coast Guard tugs the tow ropes were unable to hold the ship's movement and by night time the Fedra had grounded on Europa Point.

The swell then brought the whole vessel against the cliff and started to pound the hull against the rocks. At this point the salvage operation moved to an operation to rescue the crew.

RAF Gibraltar was immediately put on standby to receive a Spanish Coast Guard helicopter while other MOD assets, including the tug Capable, the Gibraltar Squadron, the Gibraltar Services Police (GSP) who established a cordon on behalf of the local police, and Royal Gibraltar Regiment personnel were all put on full alert.

The Spanish Coast Guard helicopter winched off some crew members from the ship before a large wave broke over the cab and caused an engine flame out forcing the helicopter to land on the Europa Flats. RAF personnel quickly secured the helicopter to the ground so that it would not be blown over and further damaged by the storm-force winds.

A second Coast Guard helicopter was deployed to the airfield but conditions were so bad at Europa that the decision was taken not to use the aircraft but, instead, to rig a breeches buoy to the ship. This was rigged by the City Fire Brigade but additional manpower was needed to man the lines.

At the nearby NAAFI Lion Bar at Europa, British Servicemen and women and their husbands and wives, enjoying the regular Friday Quiz Night, were called out to man the ropes, many of them dressed for a night out and without any waterproof protection.

Chief Petty Officer 'Fez' Parker, Friday night quizmaster, said:

"We got a fantastic response - at least 60 men and women went down there just dressed in whatever they were wearing. Some of the wives wanted to go but they had to go home to look after their kids."

One of those who responded to the call was Royal Naval Warrant Officer Class 1 Dermot Brennan. He said:

"The police asked us to muster at the cordon where we were taken to a crane which had positioned a cage on the Fedra's deck. Once a few crewmen had crawled in we pulled the cage over the side of the ship up onto the cliff top. All this was being done in gale force winds and sea spray.

"We pulled in the cage and then let out the line again for the cage to be dropped on the deck again. We brought in several crewmen before enough police and firemen had arrived to take over from us. Then we sheltered in a van before we were called out again to relieve the emergency services and give them a break.

"This went on till about midnight when we were stood down - but we'd have carried on if we were needed, we were really geared up for it by then. Some of the guys had spent over two hours working in a Storm Force 10 just wearing jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops! We were soaked to the skin - but it had been worth it."

Also at the scene was an ambulance from the Princess Royal Medical Centre (PRMC), manned by Leading Nurse Leanne Sheridan and Leading Medical Assistant Michelle Trotter, who were busy assisting with triage as the injured, cold and frightened seamen were brought ashore. Meanwhile, the PRMC was placed on full alert to deal with any further casualties.

In a dramatic end to the operation, all remaining crew members were winched to safety in one hoist and were treated in hospital before being taken to a local hotel.

By 2330 hrs the MOD volunteers, the Gibraltar Squadron, the GSP, the PRMC and RAF team were all stood down.

The MOD's command co-ordinator for Friday's activity, Lieutenant Commander Nick Chapman, paid tribute to:

"The excellent response from all the MOD staff, especially the crew of tug Capable, who had deployed to assist."

In particular he drew attention to:

"The willingness of those called out from the Lion Bar to man the breeches buoy ropes in appalling conditions. Your efforts contributed to the rescue of eight very scared Filipino crew men. Well done - I trust those involved enjoyed a more relaxing Saturday and Sunday."

British Forces are based in Gibraltar as a visible demonstration of the United Kingdom's sovereignty of the territory.

Significant military activities include the management and operation of Gibraltar's only airfield, military port and command of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

The RAF station at Gibraltar forms part of Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar. Although aircraft are no longer stationed on 'The Rock', a variety of RAF aircraft make regular visits and it is still manned by RAF personnel.

The RAF actually manage the airport at Gibraltar which not only supports all military movements but is also a very busy airport for civilian movements to and from the UK as well as the new air link with Spain.