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Guernsey’s marine ambulance has returned to operational service following an extensive refurbishment after 30 years of serving the Bailiwick islands.
Flying Christine III is an essential lifeline service, providing prehospital paramedic care and urgent transport, connecting the smaller Channel Islands with the larger island of Guernsey.
Operated by St John Ambulance and Rescue Service, Flying Christine is a charitable asset crewed by skilled and experienced maritime volunteers and professional medical crews from Guernsey’s full-time ambulance service.
The vessel, which was launched in 1994, has undergone a two-phase refit over the past two winters, with the second phase completed a few weeks ago by specialist contractors Diverse Marine in Cowes. Works included an upgrade to the clinical treatment area, with a new stretcher, enhanced infection prevention and control measures and equipment storage areas, creating a better working environment for clinicians and an enhanced patient care experience. Other work included improvements to navigational and communications aspects of the boat. The boat also has an impressive new colour scheme in keeping with the distinctive Ambulance and Rescue brand. The first phase which was completed in 2024 included work on electrical and mechanical aspects of the vessel.
The marine ambulance returned from Cowes on 7 May and took part in Guernsey’s Liberation Day celebrations and Royal Visits on 9 and 10 May. It carried out its first emergency call since returning to service on 10th May with two separate medical cases on the island of Sark.
Flying Christine III is a specially designed purpose-built marine ambulance, with the wheelhouse located forward of the patient treatment areas, which is positioned low on the waterline to provide greater patient comfort. The boat has large doors on the port and starboard sides to allow easy access for stretchers, with a winching area at the stern. Originally built thanks to public donations, she continues to rely on charitable support, through a combination of donations, sponsorship, charges and subscriptions. The fuel is currently sponsored by Guernsey based greeting card and gift company Moonpig. The vessel is on call 24/7 365 days of the year and is available as a rescue asset as well as a marine ambulance.
“We are really pleased to have the Flying Christine III back in service. She originally had an expected design life of 30 years, but the fibreglass hull and superstructure are in excellent condition, so having looked at all the options, we decided to carry out this refit to future-proof the vessel and we are confident that the work we have done not only brings the vessel up to date from a clinical perspective, but will also extend her working life for another decade.”
He added: “The service is part-funded through sponsorship and charitable donations, so it was important that we provided good value for money. A few years ago we carried out an extensive review and we considered alternative services such as helicopters, but given the geography and demographics of the islands, it was clear that extending the life of the marine ambulance was the best and most cost effective option.”
Mark Mapp, CEO of Guernsey’s ambulance service.
Since 1994, Flying Christine III has responded to more than 1,300 cases, saved numerous lives and had a baby born onboard.
This is the third marine ambulance to bear the name Flying Christine, with the original Flying Christine launched in 1952, and thought to have been the world’s first dedicated marine ambulance.
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