INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING MAJOR EVACUATION OF THE HIGH-SPEED CATAMARAN ST MALO OFF JERSEY

The difficulties and injuries sustained during the emergency evacuatio n of 308 passengers and crew from the fast passenger catamaran M.V. St Male are described. The vessel had hit a rock off Jersey and was list ing severely. Fifty-three passengers were injured, 32 requiring hospit al admission; one with a myocardial infarction and 31 with musculoskel etal injuries. Eighteen patients required operation for severe lower l imb injuries. Increased numbers of emergency exits and the introductio n of evacuation chutes to this type of twin-hulled vessel are recommen ded. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.