The St John marine ambulance, Flying Christine III, will be temporarily out of service for routine maintenance next week.

Maintenance work is required twice a year to clean the bottom of the vessel and ensure it remains in good working order. There have been no issues or problems with the marine ambulance since work was completed to fix its gearbox in September last year. It will be taken out of the water on Monday 6 July with work expected to last five days.

During this time, St John’s contingency plan will ensure that emergency calls are responded to using the RNLI St Peter Port Lifeboat with paramedics on board.  Non-emergency transfers from the other islands and ships at sea will be facilitated by other private vessels with accompanying ambulance staff.

Alison Marquis, Assistant Chief Officer, St John Ambulance and Rescue Service said: “Like any vessel, regular check-ups like this are necessary to make sure FCIII stays in good running order. Our tried and tested contingency plan ensures that all calls to our neighbouring islands are responded to with paramedics and other ambulance staff on board the responding vessels.”

 

Flying Christine III returning to Guernsey after the Sea Service in Sark 17-08-14 Pic by Tony Rive (14)

Photo of Flying Christine III taken by Tony Rive

Posted: July 2, 2015