Medical evacuation operations at sea - Mossel Bay and Durban:

MOSSEL BAY: Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay duty coxswain said:

At 15h00, Monday, 7 July, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were alerted by TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), Mossel Bay Harbour Port Control, to prepare for the medical evacuation of a 50 year old male Filipino seafarer, suffering a medical condition, from a motor vessel bulk carrier heading towards Mossel Bay from deep sea.

At that stage the motor vessel was 50 nautical miles from Mossel Bay with an expected arrival time of 20h00.

NSRI duty controllers monitored the motor vessels progress.

MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), WC Government Health EMS Metro Control and an EMS duty doctor, as well as the TNPA Port Health authority and TNPA customs, initiated logistical arrangements and established communications to evaluate the patients condition.

The motor vessel made good speed towards Mossel Bay and at 18h50 the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III was launched, accompanied by a Frontier Medix ambulance services rescue medic.

On arrival at the motor vessel an NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and the Frontier Medix rescue medic were transferred onto the vessel assisted by the ships crew.

Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted with marine vhf radio communications.

The patient, in a serious condition, was medically stabilized.

Secured into life-jacket, safety harness and safety line, assisted by the NSRI MEX crew and the ships crew, he was transferred onto our rescue craft.

In the care of the medic the patient was brought safely to our NSRI Mossel Bay station 15 rescue base and in a serious but stable condition he transported to hospital by a Frontier Medix ambulance where he is recovering in the care of doctors and nurses.

NSRI Mossel Bay duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operation Centre), Telkom Maritime Radio Services, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, EMS Metro Control, , TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Mossel Bay Harbour Port Control, the TNPA Ports Health authority, TNPA customs authority, and Police Sea Borderline Control, assisted MRCC in the logistics and coordination of the successful medical evacuation operation.

DURBAN:

Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said:

At 15h10, Sunday, 6 July, NSRI Durban duty crew and Red Line Response ambulance services were placed on alert by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to prepare for a medical evacuation operation of a 36 year old Indian male seafarer from a 375 meter motor vessel oil tanker headed towards Durban.

At that stage the motor vessel was 600 nautical miles from Durban with an expected time of arrival offshore of the Port of Durban at 14h00 on Monday.

During Monday NSRI Durban were notified that due to heavy storm seas the motor vessel had reduced speed and was expected on at around 18h00.

On Monday afternoon the NSRI Durban rescue craft Alick Rennie, accompanied by Red Line Response rescue paramedics, and the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6, were launched and rendezvoused with the motor vessel 6 nautical miles offshore of Durban.

Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted with marine vhf radio communications.

The vessel provided a lee for our rescue craft against the NNW (North North Westerly) winds where NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and the a Red Line Response rescue paramedic were transferred onto the vessel.

The patient, suffering a medical condition, in a stable condition, secured into a life-jacket, safety harness and safety line, assisted by the NSRI MEX crew and the ships crew, was transferred onto our rescue craft.

In the care of paramedics the patient was brought safely to our NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base and he was transported to hospital by Red Line Response ambulance for further medical care.

The patient is expected to make a full recovery.

NSRI Durban duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operation Centre), Telkom Maritime Radio Services, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, EMS Metro Control, Red Line Response duty controllers, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control, the TNPA Ports Health authority, TNPA customs authority, and Police Sea Borderline Control, assisted MRCC in the logistics and coordination of the successful medical evacuation operation.

The ships master and crew are commended for assisting in the safe transfer of rescue crew on and off their motor vessel.