3 medical evacuations off ships in Durban, Richards Bay and Gqeberha

NSRI teams across Durban, Richards Bay, and Gqeberha successfully executed three high-stakes medical evacuations this week, including a dramatic helicopter hoist in rough seas and two offshore vessel-to-vessel transfers.

DURBAN:

At 12h20, Monday, 2 March, NSRI Durban duty crew were alerted to prepare for a medical evacuation of a 45 year old Chinese seafarer, reportedly injured in a fall down a stairwell, onboard a motor vessel bulk carrier, offshore of Durban, at the Durban Anchorage.

NSRI Durban duty crew responded to our NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base and Redline Ambulance Services were dispatched.

The NSRI Durban rescue craft Alick Rennie was prepared to be be launched while MRCC, in cooperation with Shipmed Medical Services, finalised authorisation for the medical evacuation operation.

Further information relayed from the motor vessel’s medical team indicated the casualty to be in a serious condition.

With the updated medical status, and with rough sea conditions prevailing, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control activated the Port pilot helicopter - Transnet 1.

With NSRI Durban remaining on high alert the Port pilot helicopter Transnet 1, accompanied by an NSRI rescue swimmer and by a Redline rescue paramedic, departed from the Transnet helicopter base and rendezvoused with the motor vessel offshore of Durban at the Durban anchorage.

On arrival on the scene in a technical rescue operation the NSRI rescue swimmer was hoisted onto the deck of the motor vessel and the patient, secured into protective gear and a Bosuns stretcher, was hoisted up to the helicopter where he was taken into the care of the Redline rescue paramedic.

The casualty, in a serious but stable condition, was airlifted onboard the helicopter directly to hospital where he was taken into the care of doctors and nurses for ongoing medical treatment.

The helicopter then returned to the motor vessel to recover the NSRI rescue swimmer and then returned to base.

NSRI crew, who had remained on high alert at the Durban NSRI rescue base throughout the operation, were stood down.

The operation was successfully completed at 15h41.

NSRI has commended the Port helicopter crew, the pilot and the hoist operator, for their swift response and professionalism in this technical helicopter rescue operation.

NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI Durban duty controllers, Red Line Response duty controllers, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control, the Port of Durban pilot helicopter team, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, TNPA Port Health, Shipmed medical services, SAPS Sea Borderline Control and the ships agent, assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), in the logistics and the coordination of this medical evacuation operation.

RICHARDS BAY:

On Sunday, 1 March, at 13h37, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were tasked by MRCC to prepare for medical evacuation of a 21 year old male, an American, suffering a medical condition, from a research cruise liner.

The NSRI Richards Bay rescue craft Ocean Guardian was launched accompanied by a MedCare24 rescue paramedic and by NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and rendezvoused with the cruise ship 8 nautical miles offshore of the Port of Richards Bay.

An NSRI MEX crewman was transferred onboard the vessel and the patient, secured into personal protective gear and safety lines, was transferred onto the NSRI rescue craft – accompanied by the ships doctor.

In the care of the ships doctor, and the MedCare24 paramedic, NSRI brought the patient to the NSRI Richards Bay station 19 rescue base, without incident, and the patient, in a stable condition, was transported to hospital by MedCare24 ambulance – with the ships doctor.

The patient is expected to make a full recovery.

The operation completed at 17h00.

NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI Richards Bay duty controllers and NSRI Richards Bay operations, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, WC Government Health EMS Metro Control, MedCare 24 ambulance services, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Richards Bay Port Control, TNPA Port Health Authority, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, SA Police Services Sea Borderline Control and the ships agent, assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in the coordination and logistics of this medical evacuation operation.

GQEBERHA:

On Tuesday, 24 February, at 05h45, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew tasked by MRCC to prepare for the medical evacuation of a 37 year old male, a Chinese seafarer, sufferiung a medical condition, from a motor vessel bulk carrier.

At that stage the vessel was 20 nautical miles East of Gqeberha and heading towards Algoa Bay.

The NSRI Gqeberha rescue craft Bay Guardian was launched accompanied by a Gardmed rescue paramedic and by NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and rendezvoused with the motor vessel 10 nautical miles offshore of the Port of Port Elizabeth – in Algoa Bay.

2 NSRI MEX crew were transferred onboard the vessel and the patient, secured into personal protective gear and safety lines, was transferred onto the NSRI rescue craft.

In the care of the Gardmed paramedic NSRI brought the patient to the NSRI Gqeberha station 6 rescue base, without incident, and the patient, in a stable condition, was transported to hospital by Gardmed ambulance.

The patione is expected to make a full recovery.

The operation completed at 09h00.

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