Michael van den Bergh, NSRI Jeffreys Bay station commander, said:At 17h45, Tuesday, 21 July, NSRI Jeffreys Bay and NSRI St Francis Bay duty crews were placed on alert following a request for medical assistance from the skipper of a local Chokka fishing vessel 20 nautical miles off-shore of Jeffreys Bay.The skipper, age 51, from St Francis Bay, reported to be suffering a medical complaint and he required medical assistance.While NSRI Jeffreys Bay and NSRI St Francis Bay prepared sea rescue craft to be launched the skipper was instructed to formally request medical assistance following protocols and they contacted Telkom Maritime Radio Services who alerted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre).Following consultation between the fishing vessel, MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, Port Health authorities, EC Government Health EMS, Transnet National Ports Authority and NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty controllers, the fishing vessel was instructed to begin heading towards the shore and a formal patient evacuation operation was launched.NSRI Jeffreys Bay and NSRI St Francis Bay launched the sea rescue craft Rescue 37 and Spirit of St Francis II.The sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was accompanied by an NSRI rescue paramedic and Private Care ambulance services were activated to stand-by at NSRI St Francis Bay sea rescue base.On arrival on the scene 10 nautical miles off-shore, between Jeffreys Bay and Cape St Francis, the man, in a serious but stable condition, was taken into the care of our NSRI rescue paramedic and he was transferred from the fishing vessel onto the sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II.In the care of the NSRI rescue paramedic the patient was brought to the NSRI sea rescue base in the Port of St Francis and he has been transported by Private Care ambulance to a local hospital for further medical care.The First Mate took over as skipper of the Chokka fishing vessel.All Covid-19 precautions and protocols were observed during the operation.NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, WC Government Health EMS, EC Government Health EMS, NSRI Jeffreys Bay and NSRI St Francis Bay 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 21h00.
