CAPE TOWN:At 09h17, Wednesday, 19th November, an SA Air Force 22 Squadron Oryx helicopter carrying NSRI Air Sea Rescue (ASR) duty crew, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor and an EMS rescue paramedic responded to 11 nautical miles West of Robben Island to casualty evacuate a 29 year old Italian sailor, suffering a reported head injury and unconsciousness from unknown causes, from the 229 meter bulk carrier HELLENIC G (next Port of call Argentina).On arrival on-scene an ASR rescue swimmer and Metro EMS rescue paramedic were hoisted from the helicopter onto the ships deck. The patient was treated and secured into a specialised hoisting stretcher and hoisted into the helicopter and transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition.MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) had been informed of the incident on Tuesday, 18th November, and the ship was instructed to head towards Cape Town while a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor evaluated the patients condition and instructed the ships medic on treatment for the patient prior to the ships arrival.At 16h03, Wednesday, 19th November, NSRI Bakoven duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from 29 year old Dirk van Thonder, from Claremont, reporting to have climbed onto rocks off-shore between Sandy Bay and the BOSS 400 wreck after getting into difficulties while paddling on a sea kayak and opting to rather climb onto some rocks off-shore fearing he may be blown out to sea if he continued paddling in strong off-shore winds.NSRI Bakoven launched the sea rescue craft ROTARIAN SCHIPPER and on arrival on-scene took Mr. van Thonder and his sea kayak onboard the sea rescue craft and he was taken safely to shore where he required no further assistance.WITSAND:At 08h30, Monday, 17th November, NSRI Witsand duty crew were activated to respond to the Breede River Lodge following reports of a man collapsed unconscious.On arrival on-scene NSRI Witsand medics commenced with Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts on a 48 year old man, from Wellington, who was found to be breathless and pulseless and is suspected to have suffered a heart attack.WC Government Health EMS paramedics arrived on the scene but after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted he was declared deceased by paramedics.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONESMS 32287 with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew (SMS charged at R1)
The crew prepare before arriving at the ship.
NSRI ASR crewman Andre Beuster in the SAAF Oryx as it approached the vessel.
