National Incidents

NSRI Durban duty crew, accompanied by Netcare 911 rescue technicians, launched the NSRI Durban rescue craft Alec Rennie to rendezvous with a motor vessel to patient evacuate a 56 year old Russian seaman suffering a medical condition.

NSRI had been alerted on the evening of 17 March to prepare for the operation after the motor vessel was diverted from her route to head towards Durban for the patient to be transferred to hospital as soon as possible.

On arrival at the vessel, 5 nautical miles off-shore of the Port of Durban, the paramedics were transferred onboard the motor vessel and the patient, in a stable condition, was transferred onto our rescue craft.

In the care of the paramedics the patient was brought to our NSRI station 5 rescue base and in a stable condition he was transported to hospital by Netcare 911 ambulance.

NSRI Durban duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Durban Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, SA Police Services (SAPS) Sea Borderline Control, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor and Netcare 911 duty controllers assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in the logistics and coordination of the urgent rescue operation.

CAPE TOWN:

NSRI STN 3 TABLE BAY:

Paula Leech, NSRI Table Bay duty controller, said:

During the past week NSRI Table Bay duty controllers have been monitoring a sailing yacht, sailing from Brazil to Cape Town, that suffered mast damage reportedly during a storm.

The 4 Brazilian male crew reported that they were continuing on towards Cape Town under a combination of alternating between motor power and sailing under a jury rig (temporary make-shift rig).

They confirmed that there were no injuries, they were continuing on their voyage requiring no immediate assistance, but that they may need additional fuel once closer to Cape Town.

At 04h01, Friday, 29 March, NSRI Table Bay duty crew launched the NSRI rescue craft DHL Deliverer and rendezvoused with the sailors at the 40 nautical mile mark (from the Port of Table Bay).

Fuel was transferred onboard their sailing vessel and our station commander, Quentin Botha, had packed fresh fruit for them which they were delighted with.

Our NSRI rescue craft escorted them for a while before returning to our NSRI station 3 base arriving at 07h26.

The casualty sailing yacht made good headway under motor power, arriving at the Port of Table Bay at around 10h45 and was berthed at the the V&A Waterfront.

Earlier in the week, on Saturday, 23 March, at 16h22, NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated following reports to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) of a sailing yacht requesting assistance after their vessel suffered motor failure.

Our NSRI Table Bay duty crew launched the NSRI rescue craft DHL Deliverer.

We rendezvoused with the vessel where a towline was established and without incident we towed them to Royal Cape Yacht Club where they were safely moored and no further assistance was required.

GQEBERHA:

NSRI STN 6 GQEBERHA:

Mark Dawson, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said:

NSRI Gqeberha was alerted at 18h25, Tuesday, 26 March, to prepare for the medical evacuation of a seaman suffering a medical condition onboard a container motor vessel diverted to head towards Algoa Bay.

At that stage the motor vessel was 60 nautical miles East from the Port of Port Elizabeth.

At 23h00 the go ahead was sounded and at 00h19 the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha was launched, accompanied by an EC Government Health EMS rescue technician.

We rendezvoused with the vessel 7 nautical miles off-shore, in Algoa Bay, where an NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crewman and the paramedic were transferred onto the vessel.

The patient, age, 43, from Germany, was in a stable condition and he was transferred onto our NSRI rescue craft.

In the care of the paramedic the patient was brought to our NSRI station 6 rescue base and in a stable condition he was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance.

NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Port Elizabeth Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, SA Police Services (SAPS) Sea Borderline Control, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor and EC Government Health EMS Metro duty controllers assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in the logistics and coordination of the urgent rescue operation.

-ENDS-