Rescued Scottish Yachtsman-It was an Appendix
by Des Ryan on 26 Dec 2006
Andrew Halcrow setting off in Elsi Arrub by BBC SW
The appendix is an unpredictable fellow. Maybe the lesson from this story is: If you want to undertake long range cruising, it may be wise to have your appendix removed in advance.
The Scottish yachtsman, Andrew Halcrow, who was rescued off the Australian coast after suffering severe pain, has had his appendix removed in an Australian hospital.
In June this year he set off from Shetland to complete a non-stop single handed journey around the world. He had already completed a similar journey with his brother, in the same boat, Elsi Arrub, which he built.
The lone sailor was 350 miles south west of Australia on board his yacht when he was struck down with pain.
He was able to ring girlfriend Alyson Keillor at their home in Shetland 10,000 miles away and asked her to get medical help via coastguards.
He was airlifted off a ship which had come to his aid and taken to hospital.
His girlfriend had contacted Shetland Coastguard who raised the alarm.
The UK Coastguard liaison station in Falmouth, Cornwall, was contacted and officers got in touch with their Australian counterparts in Canberra who sent out a spotter plane.
After the aircraft found Mr Halcrow's yacht, the 32ft Elsi Arrub, nearby tanker the Elegant Princess was sent to his aid.
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