Viking crew rescues jumper

Two Steam Packet crew members have been praised for their bravery and quick thinking after they launched a successful rescue mission to recover a man from the River Mersey.

As the Viking was loading at the Liverpool Landing Stage ahead of its voyage to the Island on Friday evening, it was reported a man had jumped into the River Mersey in the vicinity of the terminal building.

The Viking immediately informed the Liverpool Coastguard and Mersey Radio VTS and her port side rescue boat was launched.

The crew members recovered the casualty and transferred him to the landing stage where local emergency services were waiting.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said he was extremely proud of the crew, particularly the two members who demonstrated a high level of seamanship in handling the boat on and off the fall with a strong ebb tide, recovering the casualty into the boat with great speed and efficiency.