At 15h00, Monday, 08 June, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were placed on alert to prepare for a patient evacuation off a vessel following a request for medical assistance from a landing craft vessel that MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) had requested to divert from deep sea to head towards Richards Bay while a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor assessed a crewman onboard the vessel who was reportedly suffering a medical complaint.Telkom Maritime Radio Services and the ships agent assisted MRCC in communications and logistics.NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) and NSRI Richards Bay duty controllers were notified.Netcare 911 ambulance services were placed on alert.Later, after it was confirmed by the duty doctor that the patient, suffering a medical condition, should be evacuated to hospital as soon as possible, and the vessel was nearing Richards Bay.NSRI Richards Bay duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Richards Bay, at 20h17, accompanied by Netcare 911 rescue paramedics.We rendezvoused with the vessel 7 nautical miles off-shore of Richards Bay.2 Netcare 911 rescue paramedics and an NSRI rescue swimmer were transferred onto the vessel and the paramedics took over care of the patient from the ships medical crew and the patient was transferred onto our sea rescue craft without incident.The patient, a 32 year old Filipino crewman, in a stable condition and in the care of the paramedics, was brought to our NSRI Richards Bay sea rescue base and he has been transported to hospital by a Netcare 911 ambulance.All Covid-19 precautions and protocols were observed during the operation.NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, WC Government Health EMS, Netcare 911 duty coordinators, NSRI Richards duty controllers, Transnet National Ports Authority and Port Health Authorities assisted Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in communications, coordination and logistics during the operation.The operation completed at midnight.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity that saves lives on South African waters. Our goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives. Operating from base stations along the SA coastline, and on inland dams, our rescue volunteers are on call, at all hours, every day of the year. Our rescue crew receive no payment and neither do we charge the people we rescue. We visit schools around the country teaching children about water safety. Drowning prevention measures include our online training academy, with free courses for crew and the public, emergency signage, Pink Rescue Buoys for emergency flotation, rescue swimmers, lifeguards and active patrols during peak seasons. Our organisation is totally reliant on donations and sponsorships. This enables us to do the work of saving lives, changing lives and creating futures. SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY: 112 or 087 094 9774
