The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban received notification of a pending medical evacuation from a vessel that was heading towards the city from the deep sea. (A. Panagiotopoulou/Getty Images)
- A 43-year-old Filipino seafarer was evacuated from a bulk carrier vessel located 100 nautical miles off the coast of Durban.
- The NSRI Durban was deployed to assist with the evacuation.
- The man, who was “in a serious but stable condition” was safely transferred from the vessel and transported to a nearby hospital.
An injured Filipino seafarer was evacuated from a bulk carrier vessel about 100 nautical miles offshore from the Port of Durban at the weekend.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said at approximately 09:00 on Saturday, NSRI Durban received notification of a pending medical evacuation from a vessel that was heading towards the city from the deep sea.
Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said a 43-year-old man was reported to be suffering an injury sustained onboard the vessel.
“A Western Cape government health EMS duty doctor had evaluated the injury, in communications with the ship’s medical crew, and it was deemed necessary to medically evacuate the patient off the ship to be taken to a hospital as soon as possible,” said Ireland.
An NSRI Durban duty rescue crew, along with the NSRI Durban Maritime Extrication (MEX) crew and a Netcare 911 rescue paramedic, carried out the evacuation.
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The NRSI launched rescue vessel Alick Rennie to rendezvous with the bulk carrier vessel approximately 4 nautical miles offshore of the Port of Durban.
“NSRI MEX technicians and the Netcare 911 rescue paramedic were transferred onto the motor vessel to assess the casualty. Sea conditions were calm,” Ireland added.
Following the medical assessment onboard, it was determined that the man should be extricated from the vessel.
“He was in a serious but stable condition, and in good care,” said Ireland.
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“A high-angle technical rope extrication system was established onboard the motor vessel, assisted by the ship’s crew, and the casualty was safely hoisted, secured into the Stokes basket stretcher, onto the deck of the Alick Rennie and into the care of our NSRI deck rescue crew.”
Ireland said the man was brought safely to the NSRI rescue base and transported to a hospital.
“The man is expected to make a full recovery,” he added.
