Medical evacuations at Saldanha Bay and Algoa Bay:

LANGEBAAN:

Nic Stevens, NSRI Mykonos station commander, said:

At 07h39, Wednesday, 30 August, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated following a request for medical assistance from a local 90-foot fishing trawler reported an adult fisherman crewman seriously injured onboard, 51 nautical miles from Langebaan.

The fishing vessel skipper reported that they had uplifted fishing gear and were making headway towards Saldanha Bay. The medical crew onboard the fishing vessel had initiated medical treatment for their fellow crewman.

NSRI Mykonos duty controllers, assisted by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) and Telkom Maritime Radio Services and a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor monitored the progress of the fishing vessel, and the condition of the patient, while NSRI Mykonos duty crew launched the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom accompanied by a West Coast Medical rescue paramedic.

Our NSRI rescue craft rendezvoused with the casualty fishing trawler 25 nautical miles from our NSRI Mykonos rescue station.

On arrival on the scene, the patient was transferred onto our rescue craft and in the care of the rescue paramedic he was brought to our NSRI rescue station and he was transported to hospital by a West Coast Medical ambulance in a serious but stable condition where he is recovering.

The operation was completed at midday.


GQEBERHA:

Kevin Warren, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said:

NSRI Gqeberha duty crew were alerted at 12h58, Wednesday, 31 August, by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) following reports from MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) requesting an Airborne Sea Rescue swimmer and EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic to accompany an SA Air Force (SAAF) Squadron 15 Charlie Flight preparing to respond to rendezvous for the medical evacuation of an adult crewman patient on a motor fishing vessel, reported to be unresponsive, 40 nautical miles South of Cape Recife.

The NSRI rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha was launched as a backup resource while the SAAF BK-117 helicopter took off accompanied by 2 NSRI ASR rescue swimmers and an EMS rescue paramedic.

NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), SAAF 15 Squadron Charlie Flight air traffic controllers, Telkom Maritime Radio Services and a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in the logistics and coordination of the medical rescue operation.

On arrival on the scene, 7 nautical miles off-shore of Cape Recife, an NSRI ASR rescue swimmer and the EMS rescue paramedic were hoisted onto the casualty vessel from the SAAF helicopter.

Medical treatment was commenced to the local adult fisherman. Due to the serious nature of his injuries, the NSRI ASR rescue swimmer and EMS paramedic remained onboard the casualty vessel continuing to treat the patient while the casualty vessel motored into the Port of Gqeberha, accompanied by the NSRI rescue craft.

Once safely in Port, the patient was transported to hospital by an EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition where he remains for medical treatment.

The operation was completed at 15h00.