NSRI Gqeberha: A medical evacuation operation at sea

Patrick Brown, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said: At 13h48, Monday, 22 June, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew and EC Government Health EMS were tasked to prepare for a maritime medical evacuation operation, scheduled to take place later in the afternoon, for an injured 46-year-old male Filipino seafarer from a bulk carrier motor vessel approaching towards Gqeberha.

At 16h22 our NSRI rescue craft Bay Guardian was launched, accompanied by our NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and 2 EMS rescue paramedics.

We rendezvoused with the motor vessel 8 nautical miles offshore of the Port of Port Elizabeth in calm sea conditions.

On arrival at the motor vessel 2 NSRI MEX crew were transferred onto the vessel.

In cooperation with the ships crew the patient, walking wounded, secured into personal protective gear and safety lines, was transferred onto our rescue craft where he was taken into the care of the 2 EMS rescue paramedics, followed by our NSRI MEX crew.

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

In hospital, in the care of doctors and nurses, the patient is expected to make a full recovery.

The maritime medical evacuation operation was completed at 18h00.

The Master of the ship, and his crew, are commended for their cooperation and assistance during this medical evacuation operation.

NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Port Elizabeth Port Control, TNPA Port Health, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, Police Sea Borderline Control and EC Government Health EMS assisted MRCC in the logistics and coordination of this successful maritime medical evacuation operation.