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Flying Christine III
Flying Christine III is the marine equivalent of an accident and emergency ambulance and is fully equipped with a range of life-saving and medical equipment.
A clinical crew of Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians, together with a qualified voluntary crew of local mariners, enables life-saving and stabilising treatment to commence immediately after a patient is on board and to be continued as the launch speeds towards land.
The success of the Flying Christine marine ambulance is due to the remarkable vessel and its dedicated volunteer maritime crew, who keep it operational 24/7, year-round.
These skilled volunteers, with backgrounds in marine operations and navigation, are trained to handle emergencies, search and rescue operations, and work alongside medical staff on board.
Always on-call, they ensure the Flying Christine reaches casualties on ships, islands, or cliffs, navigating Guernsey’s challenging waters. Their commitment ensures the vessel is always ready to deliver vital medical care.
Onboard, highly skilled ambulance crews provide advanced medical treatment in a fully equipped mobile hospital. Whether responding to cardiac emergencies or patient transfers, their expertise makes the Flying Christine a crucial part of Guernsey’s emergency services, offering life-saving care in critical moments.
*An ambulance subscription also covers the marine ambulance.
The Crew
A clinical crew of the Flying Christine is made up of Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians and Emergency Care Assistants from Guernsey’s ambulance service, together with qualified voluntary crew of experienced local mariners.
The team of ’expert’ volunteer coxswains, engineers and navigators are available on a rota basis to assist the service whenever necessary. They can be called from their homes or their jobs at any time of the day or night, to respond to emergency calls.
Funding
Flying Christine III is a charitable asset built in 1994 thanks to public donations and continues to be maintained and operated through a combination of charges, subscriptions, sponsorship and with public support.
We are grateful to Guernsey based online card and gift retailer Moonpig for sponsoring the fuel for the Flying Christine III.
Details
Flying Christine III, is powered by twin Volvo-Penta turbo-charged diesel engines, giving a maximum speed of approximately 28 knots and is served by a small tender currently moored in Guernsey’s main port, St. Peter Port Harbour.
The GRP hull is the well-proven Nelson 45 hull, designed to cut through the waves rather than ride on the surface of the sea, and with the wheelhouse positioned well forward, and the engine room to the stern, the stretcher cabin is situated amidships where patients have a smooth ride in the area least affected by the motion of the sea.
The vessel has a stretcher cabin larger than those found in road ambulances, giving St John personnel plenty of room to examine and treat patients with the comprehensive array of medical equipment carried.
The stern deck has steps to water level to enable patients to be recovered from the water in a stretcher, and can be used for transfer to helicopter if necessary.
A full complement of marine equipment, together with charts is carried. Lifejackets and a self-inflating life raft is included in addition to a 9-foot inflatable dinghy which can be used for close inshore work from the marine ambulance.
Tech Specs
Flying Christine III, was built in Guernsey to Lloyds Register of Shipping specifications for full LRBC by Seaward Marine.
Designed by Mr. A. Mursell, T.T. Boat Designs
- Built: 1994
- Length: 45 feet
- Water tank: 75 gallons
- Beam: 13 feet
- Fuel capacity: 450 gallons
- Draft: 4.5 feet
- Max. speed 28 knots
- Displacement: 20 tons
- Range: 250 miles at 20 knots
- Engines: 2 x Volvo-Penta turbocharged diesels driving V-drive transfer boxes.
