Filipino seafarer rescued from bulk carrier off Durban after medical emergency - IOL

A 51-year-old Filipino seafarer was evacuated from a bulk carrier off the coast of Durban after suffering a medical emergency while the vessel was approaching the port.

A 51-year-old Filipino seafarer was evacuated from a bulk carrier off the coast of Durban after suffering a medical emergency while the vessel was approaching the port.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its Durban crew was alerted at 9.10am on Thursday, to prepare for the emergency maritime medical evacuation.

The 200-metre bulk carrier was approaching Durban from deep sea when NSRI received the call.

At midday, NSRI Durban duty crew and Faith Med ambulance services responded to the NSRI Station 5 rescue base, where the rescue craft Alick Rennie was launched with NSRI maritime extrication (MEX) crew and Faith Med rescue paramedics on board.

The rescue team rendezvoused with the vessel about five nautical miles offshore of the Port of Durban in rainy conditions, with 15-knot winds and 2.5-metre swells.

"Two NSRI MEX crew members and the Faith Med rescue paramedic were transferred onboard the vessel where, in cooperation with the ships medical crew, medical treatment was continued for the patient, in a serious but stable condition, and he was further stabilised," said NSRI Durban station commander Etienne van Zyl.

The NSRI MEX crew then set up a technical high-angle rope and rescue basket system to facilitate the evacuation.

According to van Zyl, the vessel's master manoeuvred the ship to create a lee, protecting from the strong winds and sea swell.

The patient was secured in a basket stretcher and protective equipment before being transferred to the NSRI rescue craft during a high-angle technical extrication operation. The rescue crew then followed him onto the craft.

The patient was brought back to the NSRI rescue base under the care of Faith Med paramedics before being transported to hospital by ambulance.

He was in a stable condition and was recovering in hospital under the care of medical staff.

The operation was completed at 3pm.

NSRI commended the vessel's master and crew for their assistance during the technical maritime rescue operation.