Medical team executes swift evacuation of seafarer near Durban
Sea rescue
Its been a busy season for the NSRI in Durban.
Image: National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)
IN a coordinated effort involving multiple maritime and medical services, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 5 in Durban successfully carried out a medical evacuation operation at sea on Sunday.
The operation was initiated to assist a 24-year-old Indian male seafarer on a container motor vessel who was in need of urgent medical attention.
Clifford Ireland, the duty coxswain of NSRI Durban, reported that the operation began when the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) alerted the NSRI at approximately 17h35 on Friday. He said the seafarer was experiencing a medical complaint while approaching Durban from Mozambique. As the situation developed, the organisers were able to confirm that the seafarer was in a stable condition, allowing for the planning of a timely evacuation.
According to Ireland, preparations saw close consultations with the ship’s agent, revealing an updated estimated time of arrival (ETA) of 12h00 offshore of Durban on Sunday. NSRI Durban launched their rescue craft Alick Rennie at 10h55 on Sunday morning, accompanied by a Red Line Response rescue paramedic and a Maritime Extrication (MEX) crew.
The rescue team successfully rendezvoused with the container vessel six nautical miles east of the Durban South breakwater, where critical teamwork ensued, said Ireland. An NSRI MEX crew member alongside the Red Line paramedic boarded the vessel to assess the patient while working collaboratively with the ship's medical staff. Safety precautions included securing the patient with safety lines and personal protective equipment.
Once deemed fit for transfer, the patient was brought aboard the NSRI rescue craft, where medical care continued under the guidance of the Red Line paramedic. When the operation was completed successfully, the patient was transported to the NSRI Durban station and subsequently taken to a local hospital via the Red Line Response ambulance for further treatment. He remains in a stable condition and is currently recovering, said Ireland.