Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay station commander, said: At 14h29, Monday, 19 October, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were placed on alert to prepare for a maritime medical evacuation operation for 3 male seafarers injured onboard a 292-meter bulk carrier motor vessel at anchorage offshore of Richards Bay.
The vessel was due in Port at the Port of Richards Bay later in the day and considerations were investigated to see if the injured crew would be attended to on her entry into Port.
With inclement weather forecast later in the day the decision was made for NSRI to launch a maritime medical evacuation operation.
At 15h54 our duty crew were activated and attended at our NSRI Richards Bay station 19 rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Ocean Guardian was launched, accompanied by NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew.
A Medcare24 EMS ambulance was dispatched to stand-by at our NSRI rescue base.
We rendezvoused with the motor vessel 8 nautical miles offshore in a sea state of 3 to 4 meter sea swells.
The Master of the vessel was requested to raise anchor and manoeuvre to create a lee against the increasing sea conditions assisting our rescue craft to come alongside
NSRI MEX crew were transferred onboard the vessel and 2 of the 3 injured men, in stable conditions, walking wounded, were prepared to be transferred onto our rescue craft.
Secured into personal protective gear and safety lines, using the pilot ladder, the 2 men were transferred safely onto our rescue craft followed by our rescue crew.
The third casualty, in a stable condition, remained onboard pending the vessel coming into the Port of Richards Bay later the same day.
Sea conditions increased to 7 meter sea swells during the operation.
In the care of our NSRI medics the 2 injured men, ages 53 and 34, from China, were brought to our rescue base and they were transported to hospital, in stable conditions, by Medcare24 ambulance, for further medical care.
The Master of the ship and his crew are commended for their assistance.
NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI Richards Bay duty controllers, Medcare24 EMS control, Shipmed Medical Services, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Richards Bay Port Control, and Port Health, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, Police Sea Borderline Control and the shipping agent, assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in this maritime medical evacuation operation.
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