Baby girl is born on rescue boat
Published: October 7, 2005
A BABY girl was born on a lifeboat halfway between Mull and Oban yesterday during an emergency dash to hospital.
The Oban lifeboat crew was called out to rush expectant mother Rachel Holliday from the Isle of Mull to hospital on the mainland following a request from a local doctor.
The Mora Edith MacDonald left Craignure, on Mull, at 1:30am but while it was still well short of Oban there was a shout from below for Captain Ronnie MacKillop to slow down.
The six crewmen were forced to give a midwife and paramedic who had accompanied them some help when it was realised Ms Holliday would not make it to port in time.
Moments later, there was another call to speed up again, then another to slow down and eventually a request to stop.
This was followed by a call that the boat now had an extra “crew member”.
Ms Holliday, who was accompanied by her partner Glenn Cato and young daughter on the lifeboat, gave birth at around 1:50am.
The boat then picked up speed and headed for Oban, arriving about 15 minutes later.
She was resting yesterday in Oban hospital, with both mother and child understood to be in good health.
Mr MacKillop said that his crew remained calm despite the urgency of the situation.
He said: “We knew there was a possibility that she could give birth but to be honest we weren’t really expecting it. The crew certainly helped. Whatever they were asked to do, they did it.”
The 31-year-old, who was up on top of the lifeboat, went on: “First I got a call from below to say slow down, then one to stop. Soon I was told to speed up and then I was told we had a new crew member on board.”
He added: “Things were pretty emotional on the lifeboat with fully grown lifeboatmen close to tears. It’s a lesson in how to turn tough lifeboatmen soft.
“We’re absolutely delighted. Two weeks ago we were pulling people out of the water and it was a real life-or-death situation. Now it’s lovely to be doing this.”
Mr Cato said that neither he or his partner had been concerned about giving birth on board the boat: “The midwife and the lifeboat crew were great. They all seemed to know exactly what to do and when, and completely put our minds at ease, which meant we were able to enjoy the birth of our baby instead of worrying about the fact that she was being born on a lifeboat.
“Rachel and myself could not be happier with the birth of our baby girl. We have not decided on a name yet. All that matters at the moment is that our beautiful baby and Rachel are doing well.
“I would like to thank all of the people involved last night, in particular the midwives and the lifeboat crew. The staff at the Lorn and Islands Hospital have also provided brilliant care for Rachel and our baby.”
The family, originally from north-east England, have lived on Mull for five years.
The birth was the third on the boat in eight years and made it a hat-trick for lifeboat mechanic Jim Watson, who was involved in all three deliveries.
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