Two medical calls BELFAST COASTGUARD informed the honorary secretary of Portrush lifeboat station at 1505 on Sunday November 15, 1981, that a seaman was critically ill aboard the fishing trawler Junella, nine miles north east of Portrush; he needed urgent medical attention. Ten minutes later Portrush lifeboat, the 52ft Arun Richard Evans (Civil Service No 39), slipped her mooring and set out on service under the command of Coxswain James Stewart and with Dr William Hill, the honorary medical adviser, on board.

The south-easterly winds were up to gale force 8 and a moderate sea was running. Visibility was poor in almost continuous rain and the tide was in the first hour of flood.

On clearing harbour Coxswain Stewart headed north of the Skerries to rendezvous with Junella, which was steaming south west. At 1537 course was adjusted for an amended position five miles north of the Skerries. Junella was identified on radar shortly before 1600 and her skipper was asked to make a lee on his starboard side. At 1610 the lifeboat was made fast port side to the trawler and both boats steamed slowly south west to maintain steerage.

Dr Hill boarded Junella together with Crew Member Albert McQuilken, who is a first aider, and diagnosed a brain haemorrhage. At 1612 a Wessex helicopter arrived overhead and stood by, but the HMA decided that the patient should be taken ashore by lifeboat to save undue stress. At 1626 the helicopter was diverted to a second medical casualty.

Dr Hill and Crew Member McQuilken secured the unconscious patient into a Neil Robertson stretcher and at 1640 he was transferred to the medical cot aboard the lifeboat. Ten minuteslater the trawler was cleared and Coxswain Stewart headed for Portrush at half speed until, with moderating conditions approaching land, he was able to increase speed once more.

During the passage back to station another message came from Belfast Coastguard to say that a seaman aboard the fishing trawler St Jasper needed urgent medical attention. A Wessex helicopter was standing by but would be withdrawn at dusk.

Richard Evans was alongside at Portrush at 1727 and the first patient was taken to hospital by ambulance. Ten minutes later the lifeboat set out again, once more with the honorary medical adviser, Dr Hill, aboard.

By this time the wind had backed to north west and moderated to a fresh to strong breeze, force 5 to 6. A moderate sea continued to run and the evening was overcast with occasional rain.

On clearing harbour the lifeboat headed for Inishowen Head at full speed. St Jasper was sighted at 1807 and, following the same plan as before, Coxswain Stewart asked her skipper to make a lee on his starboard side. At 1816 the lifeboat made fast port side to the trawler and both vessels steamed slowly north east to maintain steerage.

Dr Hill boarded with Crew Member McQuilken and another first aider to find the patient had recovered consciousness after accidentally inhaling fumes. A Sea King helicopter arrived overhead and stood by, but once again Dr Hill decided the patient should be taken ashore by lifeboat and the helicopter was released. The patient was helped aboard the lifeboat together with the medical party and the lifeboat cleared the trawler at 1830.

The weather continued to moderate, the wind now being north west force 5, but a moderate confused sea was still running. The lifeboat returned to Portrush at full speed and was made fast alongside at 1905. The patient was taken to hospital by the honorary secretary.

The lifeboat was refuelled and by 1930 she was back on her moorings and ready for service.

For this service a special doctor's vellum was accorded to Dr William J. C.

Hill, the honorary medical adviser, and a framed letter of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, was presented to Crew Member Albert McQuilken..