A SEASICK sailor was rescued from a stranded yacht after it lost engine power on the River Mersey.

New Brighton's Atlantic 85 B Class lifeboat B-837 Charles Dibdin and its four-man crew was launched on Saturday afternoon following reports that a man was ill, diabetic and in need of medical attention.

Wirral Globe:

Atlantic 85 B-837 Charles Dibdin returning with casualty. Picture: RNLI/Bob Warwick

The 32-foot yacht was located in the area between Askew Spit and Taylors Bank in the main channel of the River Mersey.

Among the lifeboat crew Dave Davies, who is also employed by the RNLI as one their clinical assessor and trainers.

Wirral Globe:

The Atlantic 85 B-837 Charles Dibdin returns to shore with casualty. Picture: RNLI/Bob Warwick

Dave Davies went on board the yacht to assess the casualty, found that he had been vomiting and in such a condition that he recommended immediate transfer to the lifeboat as he was suffering from severe sea sickness and should be returned to shore as quickly as possible.

Dave looked after the casualty, keeping him warm and monitoring his condition.

The sailor was then passed into the hands of the crew of a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital.

As the yacht had engine problems, Merseyside Fire Brigades Marine Fire One rescue was requested to help the yachts return to Liverpool while we brought the casualty back.

Wirral Globe:

Crewman Dave Davies. Picture: RNLI/Bob Warwick

Dave Davies said: "Sea sickness, particularly for someone with a existing medical condition can be life threatening if not treated quickly as they can become severely dehydrated, lethargic, disoriented and loose consciousness."

Lifeboat operations manager Graham Sale said: "This was the sort of rescue that our crews spend a lot of time training for and as a result the operation went smoothly.

"Sea sickness can be serious and anyone going to sea would be advised to be aware of the symptoms and treatment especially if anyone on board has other medical conditions."