PE crew assist patient with a partially severed thumb

Just after midnight (Sunday 06th October) NSRI Port Elizabeth crew launched our sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF TOFT to respond to rendezvous with the 333 meter oil tanker TI TOPAZ, sailing from Durban to the United States of America, 10 nautical miles off-shore of Port Elizabeth to provide medical assistance and the medical evacuation of a 29 year old Bulgarian crew member who had suffered a partially severed right thumb.On arrival on-scene, in 1 to 2 meter swells and a 15 knot South Westerly wind, an NSRI medic was put aboard the ship and the patient, who had already been treated by the ships doctor, and who was in a stable and satisfactory condition, was transferred onto our sea rescue craft and brought into Port where the ships agent transported the patient to hospital for further treatment.It is not clear what caused the injury.The operation was completed by 02h30. File image