The current vessel was officially named and launched by Her Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester at a ceremony on 28 November 1994 and her first mission was for a medical emergency in Sark.

She is the third vessel to carry the name ‘Flying Christine’.

The Flying Christine III is a mobile treatment centre, equipped like a road ambulance with the capability of taking advanced medical care to patients across the sea. It is also used to transport casualties in other Bailiwick islands to Guernsey for further treatment.

Pictured: The Flying Christine heading to Sark.

The vessel is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year and is operated by volunteer boat crew from the local maritime community, as well as medical clinicians from the emergency ambulance service.

The marine ambulance is not supported by the States of Guernsey and relies entirely on charitable donations and bequests.

A breakfast reception is being held for invited guests this Saturday to celebrate the Flying Christine III. It will be hosted by the Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Mapp and attended by the Deputy Bailiff, representatives from the other islands, current and former St John volunteers and ex-staff, including some of the original Flying Christine III crew.

Pictured top: The Flying Christine III (image courtesy of St John Guernsey).