PORT ELIZABETH-Seaman casualty evacuated off ship:

Wednesday 25th April 2012.The Port Elizabeth Sea Rescue boat Spirit of Toft was launched at 07h00 to rendezvous with the bulk carrier Titan Condor at anchor off Port Elizabeth breakwater to casualty evacuate a 48 year old Filipino sailor suffering from back ache.Justin Erasmus, NSRI Port Elizabeth deputy station commander said that Sea Rescue was placed on alert two days ago when the medical complaint was communicated to South African Maritime Authorities as the ship sailed towards Port Elizabeth. Arrangements were made with a local hospital to receive the patient.The back ache that the patient is experiencing is a recurrent injury of the patient.We rendezvoused with the ship and paramedics stabilized the patient who was then secured to a back-board and immobilized before being transferred to our sea rescue craft and brought ashore.The patient has been transported to hospital by a Guardmed ambulance services ambulance.Pictures are available for media download from the Sea Rescue Flickr page.