On Wednesday 11^th December 2013 the St John Marine Ambulance Flying Christine III and the St John Inshore Rescue Boats (IRB’s)took part in a training exercise involving a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter from 815 Squadron in Yeovilton.  They were in the Island on navigational training, some air experience training with the Elizabeth College Combined Cadet Force and some winch training with the St John Ambulance & Rescue Service.

Once at sea the helicopter hovered above the Flying Christine III and lowered their winch man down onto the vessel and winched him back up on two occasions followed by the lowering down of a high line.  Both IRB’s positioned themselves in turn under the helicopter from its starboard side to simulate the winching off of a casualty.  Six new St John IRB volunteers and Seven Flying Christine III volunteer Coxswains and Engineers benefited from the part.