Port Elizabeth Casevac

Justin Erasmus, NSRI Port Elizabeth deputy station commander, said: 'On Sunday, 03 February, at 05h00, NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated to rendezvous with the 249 meter container vessel the MAERSK CADIZ, sailing from last port of call Tangyuan, Singapore, to Walvis Bay, Namibia, and passing by the South African coast, to casualty evacuate a 33 year old Indian crewman suffering from abdominal pains and nausea.'The ships medic had been in communications with the WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, facilitated by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), since the 31st of January, and treatment was recommended by the EMS duty doctor (to the ships medic) but by midnight last night it was decided that the patient, who had shown little improvement, be casualty evacuated to the nearest appropriate hospital for further treatment as soon as possible and the ship made passage towards her nearest port of call at Port Elizabeth and the Transnet National Ports Authority activated NSRI Port Elizabeth to be on alert to carry out the rescue operation which was estimated to be at first light this morning.'Our NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF TOFT, just after 05h00, and rendezvoused with the container vessel 3 nautical miles South of Cape Recife in calm seas with a 1.5 meter to 2 meter swell.'On arrival on-scene the patient, in a stable condition, (walking wounded), was transferred onto our sea rescue craft and brought to the Port of Port Elizabeth where he was handed into the care of the ships agent and transported to hospital for further treatment.'The ship has continued on her voyage towards Walvis Bay.' Eikos Rescuer IV approaches the container ship. Picture Marcus Oshry. Pictures for media use can be downloaded from Sea Rescue's Flickr page. Port Elizabeth volunteers board the containership. Picture Marcus Oshry.