Port Alfred – Patient casualty evacuated:

Juan Pretorius, NSRI Port Alfred station commander, said:'At 09h38, Saturday, 31st May, NSRI Port Alfred volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following a request from the 185 meter bulk carrier MAR CAROLINER sailing from Buenos Aires to the East via next Port of call Durban reporting a sailor onboard suspected to be suffering hepatitis.“The Department of Health and SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) were notified and it was authorised for the patient to be brought to shore and transported to hospital.'Our NSRI Port Alfred volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft LOTTO CHALLENGER and rendezvoused with the ship 3 nautical miles off-shore in calm sea conditions with a 3 meter swell.'On arrival on-scene NSRI rescue medics were transferred aboard and medical treatment was rendered to the semi conscious patient, a 55 year old man from the Philippines, and he was secured to a trauma board and lowered to our sea rescue craft and brought to shore where a Gardmed ambulance has transported the patient to hospital for further treatment.'Pictures are available on Sea Rescue's Flickr page. The MAR CAROLINER from Lotto Challenger. Lotto Challenger comes up to the MAR CAROLINER.