Patient casualty evacuated off ship:

ST HELENA BAY Thursday 22nd March 2012.A call for medical assistance was received by NSRI Mykonos at approximately 13h28 on Thursday 22nd March from the Ships Captain of the unladen bulk carrier Blue Lhotse lying at anchor 15 nautical miles from Mykonos, 8 nautical miles off St Helena Bay on the West Coast, reporting a 37 year old Filipino crewman on board suffering from chest pains.NSRI Mykonos prepared to call-out their volunteer sea rescue duty crew and MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center) were alerted. An Emergency Medical Services doctor was contacted to establish the condition of the patient by telephone and following a telephonic medical evaluation the decision was taken to casualty evacuate the patient to hospital as soon as possible.An SA Air Force 22 Squadron helicopter was authorized to carry out the rescue operation and NSRI's helicopter unit was mobilized.The 22 Squadron helicopter, accompanied by the NSRI team, an EMS paramedic and an EMS doctor, arrived on-scene and landed on the bulk carriers deck and the patient, suffering from a suspected MI (Myocardial Infarction or heart attack), was stabilized and airlifted to Air Force Base Ysterplaat where he was transferred into an EMS ambulance and transported to hospital.NSRI Mykonos volunteer sea rescue duty crew remained on high alert to assist if necessary throughout the air rescue operation.Pictures of the rescue operation are available on NSRI's Flickr page.