UMM QASR — Aboard Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) April 13, an accident occurred when a crane dislodged a pile of very large pipes.  As the pipes went over the side of the platform, one struck and injured the leg of an Iraqi oil worker, knocking him overboard.

Royal Marine Cpl. Gregory Llewellyn, a marine advisor with the Coalition Naval Advisory and Training Team, was there training Iraqi Marines when the incident occurred.

Without hesitation, Llewellyn jumped nearly 40 feet into the water to assist the injured man, despite parts of the KAAOT structure being unstable and full of underwater hazards. 

He quickly took charge and helped to get the man into a position on a support pipe at the water level.  The situation was precarious, but Llewellyn supported the injured man there in the heavy sea.  Despite the challenging location, Llewellyn quickly assessed the man’s injuries and instructed a U.S. Navy corpsman to pass down field dressings and a plastic bag in an attempt to preserve the man’s leg.  A very challenging task, as Llewellyn himself was swimming.

The injured man was transferred by crane basket to a barge for transfer to the USS Paul Hamilton.  Llewellyn climbed onto the barge and continued to provide medical assistance enroute to the ship.  Sadly, the man’s leg had to be amputated aboard USS Paul Hamilton.  The casualty was later transferred to Camp Bucca for follow-on medical treatment.

Speaking after the incident, Llewellyn said, “I saw the guy in the water and it was obvious that he was in a lot of trouble.  I knew he needed help straight away and with my training I knew I had to try and do something.  It was pretty instinctive and I didn’t have a lot of time to think about it too much. I just got on and did what I could for him.”

Llewellyn’s commanding officer, Royal Navy Capt. Richard Ingram, stated, “I am extremely proud of Cpl. Llewellyn.  He demonstrated exactly the type of instinctive action that highlights the qualities of our Royal Marines.  His quick thinking, professionalism and selfless decision undoubtedly saved the life of the injured man.  Llewellyn’s actions in disregard of his personal safety to provide life saving medical care to an Iraqi civilian were in the finest traditions of the Royal Marines.  His clear thinking and selfless bravery have probably saved a man’s life.”

Coalition personnel, including a number of United Kingdom Royal Navy and Royal Marine training staff of CNATT, are stationed on the KAAOT and Al Basrah Oil Terminal platforms in the northern Arabian Gulf, some 55 miles from the principal Iraqi port of Umm Qasr.  CNATT is charged with mentoring the Iraqi Navy and Iraqi Marines as part of the security transition of these economically and strategically vital oil platforms to Iraqi control.