Flying Christine refit “progressing well”

The Bailiwick’s marine ambulance should be back in service within weeks, after refurbishment work to prolong its working life.

The 30-year old Flying Christine III has been at a boat yard in the Isle of Wight for its refit.

St John Ambulance and Rescue Service says that work is “progressing well, with much of the essential propriety work already completed”.

This includes hull restoration and fender replacement to preserve its structural integrity and seaworthiness for another decade.

The refit will also see the full superstructure repainted and refinish to protect it against the elements.

St John Chief Executive Officer, Mark Mapp said the upgrades being carried out to the onboard clinical areas will improve infection prevention and control and create a better working environment for the medical teams.

“For three decades, the Flying Christine III has been a lifeline for our island communities, responding to medical emergencies in challenging marine environments, where conventional ambulance transport is simply not an option.

“Whether it’s urgent medical evacuation from Sark, Herm, or Alderney, or providing advanced paramedic care at sea, this vessel plays an irreplaceable role in the Bailiwick,” he said.

“Given the demanding nature of marine operations, the vessel over the past 30 years has been subjected to extreme conditions making this refurbishment not just beneficial but absolutely necessary.”

The entire cost of running the marine ambulance is covered by donations and fundraising as it is does not receive any money from the States.

The work at Diverse Marine in the Isle of Wight was funded by charitable donations with a £20,000 appeal launched in January to cover the cost of this phase of the work.

So far, the charity has received £12,000 in donations.

The Flying Christine’s crew are all volunteers too, and Volunteer Manager Gary Ward said they are all keen to get the vital vessel back in local waters.

“The latest reports from the boatyard are very positive and we look forward to having the Flying Christine III back in Guernsey and back in service next month.

The volunteer crew will be spending the next few weeks undertaking classroom based training, but I know they will be seen to get back on board and back on the water.”

All images provided by Maritime Filming/Diverse Marine – not to be reproduced.