0:00:08 > 0:00:11It's the busiest waterway in the world.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Come on, skipper! Get a move on, that way.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18A gateway to our nation.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Over 90% of the world's trade travels by sea.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24It's not just TVs and refrigerators, it's everything around us.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Protected by a multi-agency task force,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29it's a unique stretch of water.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32This is Warship Tyne, Warship Tyne. General 1-2, over.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34RADIO CRACKLES
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Yeah, it's very difficult to police the Channel.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41To board every vessel is an impossible task.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44It's a place where swimmers
0:00:44 > 0:00:47and Sunday sailors fight for space
0:00:47 > 0:00:49with cruise liners...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52..and cargo ships.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55It's like trying to get across the M25 during rush hour.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58For some, the English Channel is their place of work.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02If my mum came out here and saw what I was doing up here,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04she'd tell me to get off straightaway.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08For others, it's a playground.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Whoo-hoo!
0:01:11 > 0:01:12This is Rescue Helicopter...
0:01:12 > 0:01:16But for those who venture onto its unpredictable waters...
0:01:16 > 0:01:20We're just going to assist the moving of the casualty now.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21Control, Dover Lifeboat...
0:01:21 > 0:01:23..it can mean life...or death.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Just drag him onto the boat!
0:01:28 > 0:01:29I hope my babies get to see this,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31and see what Daddy does for a living.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Today, on Channel Patrol, the RNLI race to save a fisherman.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Ten miles... Ten miles from us.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44- Mark, help Alfa!- Yeah!
0:01:48 > 0:01:51A Channel swimmer battles tides and tankers.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55But the swimmer will now know he's in the shipping lane, that's for sure.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59And one of the Channel's other inhabitants
0:01:59 > 0:02:01goes into rehab.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03It looks like we're giving a baby sausages,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06but actually, this is the only way to get weight on them.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20The English Channel is a maritime motorway.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Crammed full of cruise liners, fishing trawlers, tug boats,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34yachts and container ships from all corners of the globe.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41The job of keeping these busy and treacherous waters safe
0:02:41 > 0:02:42is a never-ending task.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Anything can happen, on a daily basis.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50From yachts crashing into oil tankers...
0:02:55 > 0:02:58..to Victorian piers on fire.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Whenever there is a Mayday, or 999 call in the Channel,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08it will go to the UK Coastguard.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11ALARM BLARES
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Coastguard Rescue.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19As soon as a distress call comes in, they have to decide whether to
0:03:19 > 0:03:23call on nearby boats for assistance, dispatch a rescue helicopter...
0:03:23 > 0:03:27We've got a kayaker in difficulties there.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30..or scramble the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40The RNLI can average over 80 callouts a month on the Channel.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44And last year, they rescued over a thousand people from its waters.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50We're definitely not heroes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54We go out, we do our best. No crew member would say they're a hero.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Well, you've probably...
0:03:55 > 0:03:59You've got to have a screw loose, to be doing this job, to be honest.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03On occasions, we're going out when everyone's
0:04:03 > 0:04:04back in.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09Paul Legendre joined the Newhaven RNLI in 1980.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12My job is to maintain the boat
0:04:12 > 0:04:15for 24/7 callout,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18so she's ready to go to sea at any time.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19I mean, it's 44-tonne of boat here.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25With a decent crew on board, there's not an awful lot she can't achieve.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I'm extremely proud of this boat,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I try and look after it and maintain it as best I can.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34She's just like another member of the family. And, uh, she behaves well.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Paul is the only full-time employee at this base
0:04:38 > 0:04:42and he relies on a network of 15 local volunteers.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48We never know when a shout's coming out, we can be at home,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50you can be tucked up in bed, two o'clock,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52three o'clock in the morning.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54If you're having a meal out with the family...
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Soon as that bleeps, they're off and they're down here,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59as quick as they can.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02As well as being a hub for ferries and freighters,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07the seas around Newhaven are popular with surfers, kayakers and divers.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12We never know what we're going to be tasked to until we get on the boat.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15It could be a passenger ferry on fire, or sinking.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19We do a lot of tow jobs, people cut off by the tide.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Rescuing people's dogs that have run off the cliff chasing a rabbit.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25And people in the water that have got themselves in difficulties.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Today, the coastguard has paged Paul with an urgent callout.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58We've now received a distress call from a fishing vessel,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02that someone has had a cardiac arrest...on the fishing vessel.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04And we're going to get a position so we can go straight to the
0:06:04 > 0:06:08casualty and assist him whatever way we can.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Paul and his crew of volunteers are called out up to 60 times
0:06:11 > 0:06:15a year, making them one of the busiest RNLI crews in the Channel.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Speed is of the essence in an emergency
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and Paul's all-weather vessel can reach 25 knots.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30It's going to take us about 30 minutes to get there.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32He's 15 miles off.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34The skipper said he's not in a good way,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37so we're going to have to get crew members on board.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39It's possible CPR.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42We've got oxygen, First Aid kits getting ready now.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47There are no trained medics on board the fishing vessel,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50making it hard for comms operator, Mike,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52to determine the severity of the situation.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58We're still not with it, so we need to get there as soon as possible,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01make some assessments, get him on some oxygen.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Because obviously he's got the potential there
0:07:03 > 0:07:04to have another cardiac arrest.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08So it's time critical. We need to get there within the golden hour,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11so we can try and preserve life and prevent deterioration as well.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13So it's...all systems go.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Because of the critical nature of the callout,
0:07:37 > 0:07:41the crew devises a plan to reach the fishing boat as quickly as possible.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Ten miles.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Ten miles from us.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Ten miles...
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Two vessels...
0:07:51 > 0:07:55not actually head on, but actually going towards one another,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59we've got to rendezvous at the right point to get people on there
0:07:59 > 0:08:01to assist straightaway.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04So we've got another updated position of the vessel,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06and that's what they're feeding in now to the computer,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09so we can rendezvous with them at the right point.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15The Coastguard Rescue helicopter 104 has been scrambled.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20Depending on who gets there first, and what is found, on scene, it
0:08:20 > 0:08:26depends whether we leave him on the fishing vessel or maybe airlift it.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Shaving a few minutes off their arrival time could mean
0:08:29 > 0:08:31the difference between life and death.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49With major ports and numerous inlets along 350 miles of coastline,
0:08:49 > 0:08:54and playing host to every kind of seafaring vessel imaginable,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57the Channel is a vast area to keep safe.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05All ships in the Dover Strait, this is
0:09:05 > 0:09:10Dover Coastguard Information Service Broadcast 1243UTC.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13To prevent serious collisions, all craft and individuals
0:09:13 > 0:09:15crossing the narrowest point of the Channel,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19the Dover Straits, are monitored by the UK Coastguard.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23And do you have any dangerous cargo on board, sir?
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Primarily, we're looking at vessels crossing the lane.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27We have a vessel here that is crossing the lane,
0:09:27 > 0:09:32and he should cross at right angles to the flow of traffic.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34The reason for this is perspective to an oncoming vessel -
0:09:34 > 0:09:38it's easier for them to calculate whether there is a risk of collision.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Obviously, if we've got restricted visibility, and at night-time,
0:09:42 > 0:09:47then it can be a higher risk to all those involved.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51If any boat steps out of line, they have the power to prosecute.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54If they do anything wrong, we're there straightaway.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56We have to be, we have to police it,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58so my staff are on top of them straightaway.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02They know they can't get away with anything.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04So, if you like, Big Brother's watching them.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Fishing vessels may be encountered in the southwest lane, between
0:10:08 > 0:10:11the Greenwich Lightvessel and the Varne Lightvessel.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14"Guardians of the sea," yeah that's very appropriate, I think.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Of all the daily events they have to watch over,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25one is particularly perilous.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28The cross-channel swim.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35As the ultimate open-water challenge,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38it attracts swimmers from all over the world.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41But it's not just the distance.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45The cold,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47the tide,
0:10:47 > 0:10:48the waves
0:10:48 > 0:10:49and the occasional jellyfish
0:10:49 > 0:10:53all combine to make the Dover to France swim uniquely demanding.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00But this doesn't stop hundreds of swimmers every year
0:11:00 > 0:11:02giving it a shot.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Bit nervous.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10But we're OK.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11This is it.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14This is it.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16The day has finally arrived.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Nick Young is hoping to add his name
0:11:19 > 0:11:22to the list of Channel swimming alumni.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25I think if you are a climber
0:11:25 > 0:11:30and you speak to somebody and you say you're a climber,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32the first question they'll ask you is,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34"Have you climbed Everest?"
0:11:34 > 0:11:36With long-distance swimming,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40the first question anyone will ask you is, "Have you swum the Channel?"
0:11:40 > 0:11:43It's amazing how much kit you need considering all I have
0:11:43 > 0:11:45is a pair of goggles,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49a pair of trunks and a swim cap.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51We put on our Facebook page last night
0:11:51 > 0:11:54that the swim was taking place this morning
0:11:54 > 0:11:56and we've had some really big donations.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58So generous.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00There's one here from someone in Singapore
0:12:00 > 0:12:02who we don't even know, for 100.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04"You were inspiring,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07"and the world is a better place having people like you in it."
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Hasn't seen me swim yet!
0:12:09 > 0:12:10SHE LAUGHS
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Well, they've got faith in you, so that's encouraging.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Yeah, it's a start.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17So many people have donated.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19It's really amazing, actually.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Nick's swim is for a cause very close to its heart.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29We're raising money for our niece Bel
0:12:29 > 0:12:32who tragically had an accident four years ago.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35She fell, aged eight years old, from a climbing frame.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37A very small distance, but a very awkward fall,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39that meant she broke her neck.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42She's now paralysed from the neck down and breathes,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44for a lot of the time,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46with the help of a ventilator.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49And what we're trying to raise money for
0:12:49 > 0:12:51is a hydrotherapy pool
0:12:51 > 0:12:54which will be vital in helping her recovery.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Being in water is more beneficial
0:12:58 > 0:13:01than doing things on dry land to get, like,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04movement back in my legs,
0:13:04 > 0:13:10and my whole body, basically.
0:13:10 > 0:13:15And then, hopefully, in the future, it will be, like,
0:13:15 > 0:13:19one of the main reasons why, hopefully, I'll be walking again.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29My first reaction was that he is absolutely bonkers,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33but I definitely love him for what he is doing.
0:13:33 > 0:13:41And I just think it's amazing how he ever would do this for us.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44It's just so amazing.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49And I was very shocked when I heard that he was going to do it
0:13:49 > 0:13:50because it is quite a scary thing,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54just to know that you're going to be doing it.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59Swimming the Channel, it's pretty serious stuff.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- I make a note of everything you take.- OK.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Everything that goes into your body from now on -
0:14:03 > 0:14:07so, all your feeds, medication - I'll be taking notes.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10The Channel Swimming Association has been observing cross-channel
0:14:10 > 0:14:12swimming attempts since 1927.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16As an official observer,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Keith Oiler authenticates swims and verifies crossing times.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23The other thing I'm also looking at and monitoring all the time,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25is your stroke rate.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28A stroke rate kind of dropping down, and reducing considerably
0:14:28 > 0:14:30is an indication you're starting to struggle a bit
0:14:30 > 0:14:33and, in the worst situations,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37an indication that hypothermia is starting to come on, as well.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I have to tell you, the pilot may make the decision, at any time,
0:14:40 > 0:14:41to abort the swim.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44It may be because something has happened on the boat,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46it could be something that has happened...
0:14:46 > 0:14:49It could be something to do with yourself.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Next stop France.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- Right, if we've got everything... - Yeah.- Yes.- ..shall we go then?
0:14:56 > 0:14:59It's a short boat journey from the start point
0:14:59 > 0:15:01on Shakespeare Beach near Dover.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09With Channel swimming, timing is everything.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Calculated from his swimming pace and the tide times,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16the 6am start gives Nick the best chance of success.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Joining his wife Jo on board the safety boat, is Bel's dad Simon.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Nick's friend Freddie, a Channel swimming veteran at just 18,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38is here for moral and practical support.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42He can swim alongside as pacemaker, if Nick starts to flag.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51OK. We're in.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53See you in France.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Good luck, and we'll see you over the other side, all right?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- I was going to give you a kiss, then.- No, don't do that!
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Save it till later, Nick!
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Best of luck, mate.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Enjoy!
0:16:12 > 0:16:13You all right, Eric?
0:16:13 > 0:16:14Off you go.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22There are strict regulations for an official Channel swim.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25To start his epic 21-mile journey,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Nick must touch land before setting off.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30He'll be fine.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32We just need to get going.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34He needs to get into a bit of a rhythm.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38I think the first hour could be the hard one,
0:16:38 > 0:16:43but I think, then, he'll settle down and he will be OK.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45FAINT SHOUT
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Go on!- Go on!- Go on!
0:16:58 > 0:17:01I found the first hour one of the hardest.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I knew that I was going to be in there for such a long time.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Hadn't found my rhythm yet.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08But after that, it kind of evens out
0:17:08 > 0:17:10and it blurs into one, quite quickly.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14For Nick, it's not just about battling the elements.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18It's a very lonely sport, swimming.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21You're just on your own, head down...
0:17:21 > 0:17:23They say it's 80% mental,
0:17:23 > 0:17:2620% physical.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29But I think I'm... Mentally, I'm quite tough.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Hopefully.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Thinking about why I'm doing it...
0:17:33 > 0:17:38Since Bel's accident, she's just been an inspiration.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42That's enough to keep me going through those darker moments.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47The support crew needs to keep Nick's energy stores
0:17:47 > 0:17:49topped up every hour.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51JO: He's asked us for some tea.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55So we think he might be feeling the cold a bit.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56So we're not going to give him some tea,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58we have warmed up some carbohydrate drink.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Because he needs to have that every other feed.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03So we're going to just give him that hot,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06and, hopefully, it'll have the same effect.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07And some jelly babies.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11The rules of Channel swimming
0:18:11 > 0:18:14state that swimmers cannot touch the boat or the support crew,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17so getting a Nick a snack is a hands-off affair.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22But he can't slack off on his pace
0:18:22 > 0:18:24for fear of the tide turning against him.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27So he is at the mercy of the sea.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32Whenever he stops swimming, we drift. So the idea is for him to eat
0:18:32 > 0:18:35and drink as quickly as possible, then start swimming again.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Three and a half hours in,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48the pilot makes an important call to the coastguard.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Dover Coastguard, Pathfinder.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52'Pathfinder, Dover Coastguard.'
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Morning, sir, just about to enter the Southwest line, over.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Nick is about to enter one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06You can see from the ships in front of us, 22 on every hour,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09they will notify the ships that we're here.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15On a typical day over 400 ships, including tankers and ferries,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17pass through the Dover Straits.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21The reason why you can't just jump in and swim to France.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26The swimmer will now know that
0:19:26 > 0:19:28he's in the shipping lane, that's for sure!
0:19:35 > 0:19:39I love swimming past the cargo ships, it's really good fun
0:19:39 > 0:19:40because it means it's finally happening,
0:19:40 > 0:19:44everything has taken off, and your swim is a new experience.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46But they do push up the cold water from below
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and it is quite cold for a while when you swim past them.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51And this extra blast of cold water
0:19:51 > 0:19:55seems to be taking its toll on Nick.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00I think he's starting to feel a bit cold, he's asking for hot drinks.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02OK, we're feeding, please.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17You're doing brilliantly, darling, really, really well, honestly.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18Hang on in.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23'Got a music playlist in my head
0:20:23 > 0:20:27'that I'll be singing to myself throughout.'
0:20:27 > 0:20:33'I'll be trying to name past rugby teams, thinking about family,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35'work, I think everything,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38'just to keep that boredom from setting in, really.'
0:20:41 > 0:20:47We're halfway across in distance but that might not mean halfway in time.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49We've been going about six and a half hours
0:20:49 > 0:20:52so it'd be lovely if we thought we could do it in 13,
0:20:52 > 0:20:57but the tide can move us further away
0:20:57 > 0:20:59from where we're trying to get to.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01He could start swimming slower,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03he's going to get tired,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06the conditions can change very quickly
0:21:06 > 0:21:07so you can't assume anything,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09I don't think, at this stage.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13He's doing well, if he continues like he is in the present time,
0:21:13 > 0:21:14he's going to make it.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18You'll get about a 60% success rate,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21that's across relay swims and solo swims.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24There's a long way to go yet.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26It might be another six to eight hours to go.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34On record, swimmers have been traversing the Channel since 1875.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41And dependent on tides and weather, there are on average
0:21:41 > 0:21:45just 24 days a year when it's possible to attempt the crossing.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Nick will soon be leaving English waters
0:21:52 > 0:21:55and the UK coastguard's jurisdiction.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Off the coast of New Haven,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05the RNLI team is responding to a coastguard callout.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10A day-tripper on a chartered fishing boat is unconscious
0:22:10 > 0:22:14after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32The gentleman has had a suspected cardiac arrest
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and now he's actually come to, so they've stopped chest compressions
0:22:35 > 0:22:37at this moment in time,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39he's still obviously not with it.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Although there's no paramedic on board the lifeboat,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45three of the crew, including local businessman Al Novis,
0:22:45 > 0:22:46are first aiders.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01With constant radio contact from the fishing boat skipper,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04the team is kept up-to-date on the man's condition.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08He is conscious, and he keeps trying to get up.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- So he might be confused as well. - Yep. No problem.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14But they're trying to get him laid back down again.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35The crew needs to get on board quickly, but it's a precision job
0:23:35 > 0:23:39to bring the two vessels side-by-side for a safe boarding.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50First aider Al and his team board to make an initial assessment.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Mark, help Alpha.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08They put the casualty into a sitting position to make breathing easier.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20We don't want to move him on to here
0:24:20 > 0:24:24cos we haven't done the assessment yet so we're leaving him on there,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28continuing to Newhaven. It may be a case that the chopper
0:24:28 > 0:24:31lifts him straight from there, if that is needed.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48Right, OK.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53The team administers oxygen and check his vital signs.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02But when they monitor his breathing rate, the results are worrying.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33"Big Sick" is where the casualty comes up under one of our measures
0:25:33 > 0:25:36and is in an area where it could be
0:25:36 > 0:25:39a serious illness or injury, so immediately,
0:25:39 > 0:25:40when it's flagged under our first aid cards
0:25:40 > 0:25:45'as "Big Sick", that's an immediate evacuation.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48'What we established was he'd been unconscious for ten minutes,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50'which is a very long time.'
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Have you got any change in symptoms, in pain or anything?
0:26:09 > 0:26:12All the crew can do is keep the man comfortable
0:26:12 > 0:26:15while they await the coastguard's helicopter.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Coastguard and rescue, 104, this is Ocean Warrior, over.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Rescue 104, understood.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42The helicopter crew wants to evacuate the patient
0:26:42 > 0:26:43from the RNLI lifeboat
0:26:43 > 0:26:47so he will have to be transferred from the fishing vessel.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50What we could do is go two arms under, up and over.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Yeah, I think that's going to be tough
0:26:52 > 0:26:53because of the height difference as well.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09But with time ticking away fast, in the end the decision is made
0:27:09 > 0:27:12to lift the casualty from the fishing boat instead.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16OK, change of plan.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21We're going to lift at full speed off the back of here,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24if we can everybody forward under the canvas.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01The winchman has now been put down from rescue helicopter 104,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04he will also do a quick assessment, get information from our crew
0:28:04 > 0:28:08from their assessment, what they've done to the guy.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11He has got a "Big Sick" marker which means he does have to be
0:28:11 > 0:28:13lifted immediately.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15The helicopter has now flown off,
0:28:15 > 0:28:16as you can see by the noise
0:28:16 > 0:28:20and the spray, it doesn't help to have him hovering over all the time.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26The coastguard winchman determines it's safe to move the patient.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50'It does feel good when we've made a positive difference.'
0:28:50 > 0:28:52'We've been out there, we've helped
0:28:52 > 0:28:57'and we've resolved the situation that person was in at the time.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00'Could have got worse and possibly loss of life.'
0:29:03 > 0:29:06The man was airlifted to Brighton hospital.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08He had suffered a heart attack
0:29:08 > 0:29:10but thanks to the quick medical attention,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14he made a rapid recovery and a few days later was back home.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Good job.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21He was all right.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24'That'll be the end of our morning, really, unless we get anything else.'
0:29:24 > 0:29:29Get back to Newhaven, wash down, fuel up and have a cup of tea!
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Rescue missions are under way everyday in the Channel,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45and it's not just people who need to be saved.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54The UK's waters are home to a diverse array of marine mammals,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57including dolphins, sea lions and whales.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06One of the organisations offering a lifeline for stranded
0:30:06 > 0:30:11and injured animals is the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
0:30:11 > 0:30:16This is obviously the Channel, all of these red dots are our current
0:30:16 > 0:30:21volunteers, so we've got about 3,000 of them around the UK.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24When we get a call in, the first thing we would do is find out who
0:30:24 > 0:30:26the nearest medic is
0:30:26 > 0:30:30and we can call to actually come out and do a rescue for us.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35At Peacehaven beach,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39a baby seal has fallen victim to the Channel's rough seas.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Stephen has responded to the scene.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Well, this little pup has been around for the last two or three days
0:30:49 > 0:30:51and he's very underweight, he's looking really thin
0:30:51 > 0:30:54so we were asked today to come down and collect him.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Seal pups are vulnerable to infections that
0:30:58 > 0:31:01if left untreated, could be fatal.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04This is a common seal, so they are little bit more docile
0:31:04 > 0:31:05than the grey seals,
0:31:05 > 0:31:10but you've still got to be quite careful about their teeth.
0:31:11 > 0:31:12There we go.
0:31:12 > 0:31:13Up we come.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17That's better.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Depending on the weather conditions, Stephen's organisation
0:31:24 > 0:31:28can come to the aid of up to 250 seals a year in the Channel.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32The great majority of our rescues are seal pups,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34we also do dolphins and porpoises.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38We do get some larger animals like a fin whale or a bottlenose whales
0:31:38 > 0:31:42and occasionally we'll get turtles and then if there's any major rescue
0:31:42 > 0:31:43like an oil spill or something like that,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46we'll very often get involved with bird rescue as well.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48That is one of the things about the Channel,
0:31:48 > 0:31:50we're never quite sure what is going to come in.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56The British Divers Marine Life Rescue volunteers are all
0:31:56 > 0:31:58trained medics who know how to handle
0:31:58 > 0:32:00these marine mammals in distress.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04You cover its eyes, pretty much,
0:32:04 > 0:32:09because a lot of terrestrial animals calm down when you cover their eyes.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Although those aren't totally covered.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16You know, if they're just covered up a little bit,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18then it makes them a bit quieter.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24They carry a really nasty disease,
0:32:24 > 0:32:29called seal finger, so if you get bitten, you have to go to hospital
0:32:29 > 0:32:31and get very specific antibiotics
0:32:31 > 0:32:34and if you don't, you can get a nasty swelling of the joints,
0:32:34 > 0:32:36and that has led to amputation.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45It's important that through the journey, it's well ventilated,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48so I have all the windows open, not just to keep it cool,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51but it has had a poo in the back so it is rather smelly.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Stephen must now get the seal to specialist care
0:32:56 > 0:32:57as quickly as possible.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06The pup's home for the next few months
0:33:06 > 0:33:10will be the Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre near Hastings.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16This is the only place in the Southeast equipped to help
0:33:16 > 0:33:22poorly pups get fit and fat enough to go back into the Channel.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24We've been here for nearly 50 years now,
0:33:24 > 0:33:29over 50 years and we take about 3,000 casualties a year into the centre.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Mostly sea birds and sea mammals as well.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37He was very quiet on the way over,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41I stopped a couple of times just to check, but no problem at all.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44So we'll get him in with the RSPCA and let them take it over.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55There we go!
0:33:57 > 0:34:01The rescued pup will join five other seal residents.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06You've got inattentive mother, first time mother,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10you've got storms at that time of year causing them to then separate.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Once the animals have washed ashore then they're very vulnerable.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18They begin to lose weight so they're reluctant to go back into the water.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22And then that's when they become vulnerable to dogs and death really.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26One has been here a fortnight and is especially fragile.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28She must've been about two weeks premature
0:34:28 > 0:34:30because she still had the umbilical cord.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33And we're just going to put a little towel round her.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35It's not because she's nasty or aggressive,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39it's just because otherwise you get faecal matter all over yourself.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40SEAL GROWLS
0:34:40 > 0:34:42- Quite heavy.- Yeah.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- You don't like that, do you?- No.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52So when she came in, she came in at 8.9 kilos.
0:34:52 > 0:34:5310.92.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- OK, so she's put on two kilos now... - Yeah.- ..since admission
0:34:57 > 0:34:58so that's really good.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- And we can feed her now. - I'm going to feed her.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Male common seals like this one can be released back
0:35:07 > 0:35:11into the Channel once they reach a minimum of 28 kilos.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14It looks like we're giving a baby sausages
0:35:14 > 0:35:17but actually this is the only way to get weight on them.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21But the team must monitor the pup's health carefully.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22They're not getting the antibodies
0:35:22 > 0:35:25and everything that they would have normally have got
0:35:25 > 0:35:29from their mother's milk so they are still susceptible to infections
0:35:29 > 0:35:31and things like that.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33You can't save them all.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Sometimes when they've died naturally and we do a postmortem,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38then you'll find that there's all sorts of things
0:35:38 > 0:35:41that are going on inside that we were never going to be able
0:35:41 > 0:35:43to deal with and that's just a fact of life
0:35:43 > 0:35:46and perhaps that's why that pup was left by its mother.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49With regular feeds,
0:35:49 > 0:35:53this pup has about a month to go before returning to the Channel.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03This iconic stretch of water has played an important role
0:36:03 > 0:36:05in shaping the UK we know today.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11From a key natural defence to a gateway for global trade routes.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16The Channel is so busy in the narrow Dover Straits
0:36:16 > 0:36:20that the traffic has been split into two distinct lanes.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Boats going south on the English side
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and boats going north on the French side.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29After nine hours of constant swimming,
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Nick Young is just crossing into these French waters.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Yeah, I'm all right. Next feed.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- You OK?- Thanks.- Good man.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44He's attempting the cross-channel journey in aid of his niece Bel
0:36:44 > 0:36:47who suffered a life-changing accident four years ago.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51He's raising money for a hydrotherapy pool
0:36:51 > 0:36:54to be put outside our house.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58I think it's going to be really, really challenging.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03Like, if tides start coming in and it takes longer than
0:37:03 > 0:37:07what he expected, I think that's definitely more challenging
0:37:07 > 0:37:11and not being able to touch the safety boat next to him.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18I know he will be devastated if he has to get out of the water,
0:37:18 > 0:37:20so from that point of view,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23my heart is sort of out there with him swimming it.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27He's been in the water for nine hours. He's getting tired.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29He said his groin's starting to hurt a bit
0:37:29 > 0:37:32so all of those things are flying around in my mind as well.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36I know we're in French water, but we've still got a long way to go
0:37:36 > 0:37:41and we're by no means sort of guaranteed anything at this stage.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48To keep up his energy levels, Nick has to eat every hour.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53But as he becomes increasingly fatigued and cold,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55he is asking for his feeds more regularly.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- Well done! Go on!- Go on!
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- Don't let them beat us!- Yes!
0:38:03 > 0:38:08Well, we CAN see France but just about because it's quite misty
0:38:08 > 0:38:11and we're not sure if Nick's seen it yet
0:38:11 > 0:38:13but we hope he has because it's a good boost.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15But then you realise it's still quite a long way away
0:38:15 > 0:38:18and then it kind of wears off.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21'You just have to keep going until you run out of water
0:38:21 > 0:38:25'and it can be the psychological...'
0:38:25 > 0:38:27demons, if you like,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30start setting in the nearer you get to France
0:38:30 > 0:38:34'because it looks very close but if you're battling a tide,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37'you can still be three or four hours in the water
0:38:37 > 0:38:41'and I think that's when the mental game really kicks in.'
0:38:41 > 0:38:44It's getting dark and Nick needs a light on his goggles.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47He's got tinted goggles on at the moment so we're going to swap them
0:38:47 > 0:38:49for light ones and also put a headlight at the back
0:38:49 > 0:38:52so we can spot him in the water a lot easier.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- Goggle change.- Goggles. - Goggle change.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- You have to have the light on the back. Goggle change.- What?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00You've got to put the light on the back.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- Doing really well!- Awesome! - Look how near it is.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12The pain's nearly over.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- You're going to be a Channel swimmer!- Nearly there.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- Doing awesome.- Last push now. - Great pace.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- Your mum and Harry are there waiting for you.- Go on!
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- Go on, mate!- Go on! Whoo!
0:39:29 > 0:39:32France is now in Nick's sights
0:39:32 > 0:39:35but his team is concerned about his progress.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39We need to extend the time between the feeds
0:39:39 > 0:39:42because every time we're feeding him, we're drifting off the course
0:39:42 > 0:39:46and ultimately that's going to make the swim longer.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49- But I don't want him to get too tired.- I know, I appreciate that.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57As night falls, Nick is exhausted.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06Follow the boat, stick with me. You're half a mile off the beach.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09- Are we moving back?- No!- Half a mile! - We're going to the beach.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11You've got the tide with you into the beach.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- It's helping you, you're so near now. - Take this.- This is your last feed.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- It's not getting any closer. - No, it's there.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- You're going, the tide's helping you in.- OK.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24- Half a mile, that's all it is, mate. - Not long now.- Half a mile.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28- You're just brilliant. - Keep going, keep going!- Brilliant!
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Here we go, Nick!
0:40:37 > 0:40:40The final stretch has taken its toll.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46But after a remarkable effort,
0:40:46 > 0:40:52Nick has conquered the Channel in 13 hours and 51 minutes.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56- He's standing!- Is he?- Whoo!
0:40:56 > 0:41:00CHEERING
0:41:04 > 0:41:06CHEERING
0:41:15 > 0:41:17CHEERING AND LAUGHTER
0:41:17 > 0:41:18You've done it!
0:41:29 > 0:41:31CHEERING AND LAUGHTER
0:41:41 > 0:41:44To truly join the Channel swimming alumni,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Nick pays a visit to a Dover pub.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Wow!
0:41:56 > 0:41:57Have you got a marker pen?
0:41:57 > 0:42:01- Nice one. Thanks, mate.- Thank you.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03I'm going to sign up here next to our friend Freddie Florin
0:42:03 > 0:42:06who was on the boat yesterday crewing.
0:42:08 > 0:42:1213.51. What was the date yesterday in the end? 5th?
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Brilliant. Oh, well done.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- Thanks very much.- Brilliant.- Cheers. - Thank you, bye.- Thanks.- Bye.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26There's one important person Nick needs to call.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28'Uncle Nick!'
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Bel, hi, darling. How are you?
0:42:30 > 0:42:34'I'm so proud of you. I'm so happy that you've done it
0:42:34 > 0:42:37'and that you were swimming strong the whole way.'
0:42:37 > 0:42:40The weather was really overcast and the water was quite rough
0:42:40 > 0:42:44so we had to get through some rough patches but...
0:42:44 > 0:42:46He's got a few war wounds, Bel.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48'What are they?'
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Couple of the jellies got him in the end.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51'Oh, my!
0:42:51 > 0:42:53'You were already the best uncle
0:42:53 > 0:42:55'but now it's definitely confirmed.'
0:42:55 > 0:42:57HE LAUGHS
0:42:57 > 0:43:01'I love you so much and I'm really looking forward to seeing you.'
0:43:01 > 0:43:05- Yeah, and you. All right, love you, Bel.- Love you, bye!- Bye.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08'Love you, bye.'
0:43:08 > 0:43:12With his epic swim, Nick raised £80,000
0:43:12 > 0:43:15for Bel's hydrotherapy pool and the treatment she needs.