Port Medical Services

Coast Medic Ambulance provides specialist port medical services for cruise ships, commercial vessels, ship agents, harbour authorities and maritime operators requiring urgent clinical support near harbour limits.

As a CQC registered ambulance service, we provide paramedic-led ambulance care both ashore and in complex maritime environments. Our clinicians have advanced experience operating around the water, on harbour infrastructure and in the transfer of patients between ship and shore.

We currently support operations around Falmouth Harbour, Penzance Harbour and Plymouth Harbour, with services available on an ad hoc basis through ship agents, port operators and vessel representatives.

When a crew member or passenger becomes unwell and requires transfer to hospital, Coast Medic Ambulance can provide a paramedic-crewed ambulance to receive the patient and transfer them directly to a local Emergency Department or appropriate healthcare facility.

This can support vessels requiring timely disembarkation of patients, particularly where a patient’s condition means they cannot safely remain onboard while awaiting further care.

During periods of significant NHS pressure, our service can help ships and port teams reduce avoidable delay by providing a clinically governed ambulance response and safe onward transfer.

We are not a replacement for the NHS ambulance service. Instead, we work to complement statutory emergency services, providing additional capacity with additional advance maritime skills, to support safe patient flow during periods of operational demand.

In June 2026, Falmouth experienced more than six medical emergencies within Falmouth Harbour, with several patients reportedly waiting close to six hours for an NHS ambulance response.

Incidents of this nature demonstrate the importance of having additional, clinically regulated ambulance capacity available to support ports, vessels and patients when local services are under severe pressure.

Paramedic Support Onboard

Where required, Coast Medic Ambulance can provide experienced paramedics to attend onboard vessels to support patient assessment, stabilisation and care before transfer ashore.

Our clinicians can assist with:

• Initial clinical assessment and observations
• Emergency care and treatment within scope of practice
• Liaison with the ship’s medical team, master, agent or port authority
• Preparation for safe disembarkation
• Handover to ambulance crews, hospitals or statutory services
• Support during transfer from ship to shore

This service is particularly useful where a patient is unwell and requires additional clinical management, knowledge of local clinical pathways enabling informed decision making regarding hospital conveyance, or where additional medical support is needed during disembarkation.

Working with Ship Agents and Port Operators

We work closely with ship agents, harbour authorities, port operators and vessel representatives to provide responsive medical support when incidents arise.

Our port medical services are available on an ad hoc basis, allowing agents and operators to request support when a vessel has a patient requiring assessment, treatment or ambulance transfer.

We understand the operational pressures involved in cruise ship and commercial maritime operations, including vessel schedules, port movements, passenger welfare, crew welfare and the need for clear communication between all parties.

Areas Covered

Coast Medic Ambulance currently provides port medical support around:

Falmouth Harbour
Supporting cruise ships, commercial vessels, harbour operations and maritime events in and around Falmouth.

Penzance Harbour
Supporting vessels, harbour users and onward ambulance transfers across West Cornwall.

Plymouth Harbour
Supporting commercial maritime activity, cruise operations and vessel medical incidents in the Plymouth area.

Additional locations may be considered subject to operational availability and clinical requirements.

PORT AMBULANCE SERVICE

Frequently Asked Questions