Earl Sigurd crew thanked for attending to poorly passenger

The master and crew of the Earl Sigurd ferry have been praised for their quick thinking in attending to a poorly passenger on board.

Jane Rendall, a school cook, was travelling from Papay to Kirkwall on Tuesday tea-time when she began feeling very unwell.

“We hadn’t long set off from Papay and were on the way to Westray before heading into Kirkwall when my head got really sore, I started being sick, felt very hot and was soaking in sweat. I felt terrible. A crewman came to ask if I was okay – it was embarrassing, and you don’t want any fuss, but I had to say ‘no’. He immediately went and got the skipper who felt we needed to get a doctor to check me over. It all happened very quickly within about ten minutes. The Westray doctor and nurse gave me a thorough check up could find nothing obviously wrong with me. I was given an anti-sickness injection and by the time we left a short while later I was feeling much better. When I arrived into the town I felt fine.

“Thankfully, it was a quiet on board, so I hope I didn’t disrupt the sailing for too many other folk! I do want to thank the quick-thinking actions of the crewman and skipper, Lewis Garson, as I really do appreciate it very much.”

Captain Glenn Porter, Marine Superintendent said: “Well done to all involved for attending to Mrs Rendall so promptly – feeling poorly at any time it unpleasant enough, let alone while travelling. Thankfully there was a positive outcome, and we are delighted that Mrs Rendall has expressed her gratitude.”

Orkney Ferries Board member Councillor Andrew Drever added: “The crew of the Earl Sigurd are to be applauded for their swift action that led to a much more comfortable trip for Mrs Rendall. They spotted a passenger in some distress and dealt with this in a calm and efficient manner, born out of a standard of training and discipline which all our seagoing staff work to.”