A seafarer has sadly passed away

Jonathan Tufts, NSRI Gqeberha deputy station commander, said: A 39-year-old Sri Lankan male seafarer has sadly passed away despite extensive efforts, by NSRI Gqeberha and EC Government Health EMS paramedics, to save the man’s life.

NSRI Gqeberha duty crew were activated at 09h26, Thursday, 27 June, following an urgent request for medical care, onboard a container motor vessel at anchorage 1, Algoa Bay, off-shore of the Port of Port Elizabeth – the man was suffering a medical condition.

TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Port Elizabeth Port Control, NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, EC Government Health EMS Metro Control, the SA Police Services – Police Sea Borderline Control, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor and Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in the logistics and coordination of the emergency medical response.

Our NSRI Gqeberha duty crew and EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedics and an EMS ambulance responded to our NSRI Gqeberha station 6 rescue station where the NSRI Gqeberha rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha was launched, accompanied by 2 EMS rescue technician’s and NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew.

Medical advice had been provided to the ships medical crew by the EMS duty doctor.

On arrival at the casualty vessel NSRI MEX crew and the EMS paramedics were transferred onboard the motor vessel where they found the man in the care of the ships medical crew. The man was found to be in a critical condition.

Advanced medical treatment was commenced and during medical treatment the patient went into cardiac arrest.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were commenced where twice these efforts were successful but the patient remained in a critical condition – paramedics and NSRI MEX crew remained onboard the motor vessel continuing with CPR and extensive medical treatment to the patient.

TNPA Port Control arranged for the motor vessel to enter the Port of Ngqura (COEGA) where additional medical crew and NSRI crew stood by to assist.

After all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased.

The body of the man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased man.