Patient evacuations off vessels in Struisbaai and St Francis Bay

STRUISBAAI:Reinard Geldenhuys, NSRI Agulhas station commander, said:At 22h00, Friday, 08th December, NSRI Agulhas duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Agulhas with NSRI medics onboard and we rendezvoused with the the fishing vessel Rigel IV 3 nautical miles off-shore of Struisbaai to patient evacuate a 25 year old Cape Town fisherman suffering 2 amputated fingers and a crushed finger sustained while at fishing grounds at deep sea, reportedly sustained in an accident with a hydraulic winch.A WC Government Health duty doctor had spoken to the vessels crew earlier and had evaluated the patients condition and while the vessel headed towards nearest Port at Struisbaai treatment by the vessels crew was advised by the duty doctor in communications which including keeping both amputated fingers on ice (believed to be the index finger and middle finger) of the right hand.On arrival on the scene NSRI medics boarded the vessel and the patient, already bandaged and in a stable condition, was transferred onto our sea rescue craft and with both amputated fingers, on ice, the patient was brought to Struisbaai harbour where paramedics from EMR private ambulance services took over care of the patient and he has been transported to hospital in a stable condition.Sea conditions were 2 meter swells with moderate winds.The operation was completed at midnight. File imageST FRANCIS BAY:Sarah Smith, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said:Just after midnight, Saturday, 09th December, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II to rendezvous with the fishing vessel Santa Lara, 5 nautical miles from the Port of St Francis and 2 nautical miles off-shore.The ships Captain had reported to us that they were steaming towards St Francis Bay advising us that they had a crewman onboard suffering breathing difficulties.On our arrival on the scene our NSRI medics boarded the vessel and medical treatment to the 43 year old Port Elizabeth fisherman was administered and he was transferred onto our sea rescue craft and with oxygen therapy continuing we brought him to the Port of St Francis in a stable condition and he was taken into the care of Private Care ambulance services paramedics who transported him to hospital in a stable condition.Sea conditions were 2 to 3 meter swells in a 27 knot wind.The operation was completed at 01h30.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE