Ian Gray, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said:At 19h55, Tuesday, 28th August, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Toft, accompanied by 2 EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedics, to rendezvous with the 177 meter bulk carrier MV Bona to patient evacuate 2 male crew members suffering injuries sustained from a fall.The vessel had raised the alarm on Monday, believed to be off-shore of the Transkei Coast, reporting that two crew members were seriously injured after a wave washed over the vessel in heavy seas causing the two crew members to be washed up against machinery onboard the vessel.MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) were alerted following radio communications with Telkom Maritime Radio Services and a Government Health EMS duty doctor was put in contact with the ships medical crew to evaluate their medical condition and it was advised that both patients be evacuated to hospital as soon as possible and medical treatment advice was conveyed to the ships medical crew by the EMS doctor.1 patient suffered a severe laceration to his thigh and head injuries and 1 patient suffered head and ear injuries.It was determined that sea conditions were most favourable for the vessel to head towards Algoa Bay and the ships Captain agreed and MRCC alerted the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and NSRI Port Elizabeth were placed on alert to prepare for the medical patient evacuation on Tuesday evening.Both patients were reported to be in stable conditions and there medical conditions were monitored during passage towards Algoa Bay.NSRI Port Elizabeth sea rescue craft Spirit of Toft rendezvoused with the vessel 3 nautical off-shore of the Port of Port Elizabeth.2 NSRI rescue swimmers and 1 EMS rescue paramedic were put aboard the vessel and one patient, walking wounded, was transferred onto the sea rescue craft and one patient was transferred onto the sea rescue craft secured into a Bosuns stretcher.Both patients were brought safely into Port in the care of our NSRI medics and the EMS rescue paramedics and both patients have been transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in stable conditions for further care.
