A BABY girl has become the first child born aboard Guernsey’s marine ambulance in 18 years.
Harriet Mae Magell arrived while the Flying Christine III was rushing her mum from Sark to Guernsey in June.
The Flying Christine III is the marine ambulance that serves the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It carries the same medical equipment as a road ambulance but travels by sea.
Harriet was born near the island of Jethou, just minutes before the boat reached St Peter Port in Guernsey.
Because of where she was born, her birth certificate says her birthplace is the “territorial waters of the Bailiwick of Guernsey” – something very few people in the world can say.
Harriet’s mum Kyla went into labour two weeks earlier than expected, just 12 hours before she was due to travel from Sark to Guernsey for a pregnancy check-up.
The emergency call was made at 9.25pm, and Harriet was born at 11.11pm, weighing 9lb.
A team of medical staff and volunteers helped deliver Harriet safely on board.
Sark only has one doctor, who travelled with the family and said it was clear the baby was ready to arrive. He said the birth went smoothly and praised Kyla for staying calm throughout.
Harriet’s parents also thanked everyone involved in the rescue. Kyla said the team kept her informed the whole time, while her husband, Jake, said they felt “amazingly lucky”.
