SEA RESCUE – National – Monday, 21st October. Incidents Durban and Melkbosstrand:

DURBAN:Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said:At 12h32, Monday, 21st October, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for medical assistance from a ship, at anchor off-shore of Durban's Port, reporting a crewman suffering a medical emergency.The sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6 was launched accompanied by a Netcare 911 rescue paramedic and requested to remain on stand-by while a PortNet helicopter was activated accompanied by a Netcare 911 rescue paramedic.The helicopter deployed a paramedic onto the ships deck and care for the patient commenced and the patient was taken onboard the helicopter and airlifted to hospital in a stable condition.The operation completed at 13h30.MELKBOSSTRAND:Peter O'Hanlon, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, said:At 16h03, Monday, 21st October, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were activated following reports of a small rigid inflatable boat (RIB) capsized 500 meters off-shore of the Melkbosstrand slipway and 2 people reported to be in the water.The sea rescue craft Spirit of Brenda was launched and both men were rescued from the water.Attempts to tow their casualty RIB to shore were not successful with the boat sinking and unrecoverable.Both local men, aged in their 20's, were treated for mild hypothermia and following treatment they required no further assistance.