DURBAN – A 51-year-old Filipino seafarer is recovering in hospital after being evacuated from a 200-metre bulk carrier in a high-angle technical rescue operation five nautical miles off the Durban coast.

NSRI Durban station commander Etienne van Zyl said the duty crew were alerted at 09:10 on Thursday 17 September, to prepare for an emergency maritime medical evacuation of the seafarer, who was suffering a medical complaint onboard the vessel as it approached Durban from deep sea.

Rough rendezvous

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, accompanied by NSRI Maritime Extrication (MEX) crew and Faith Med rescue paramedics.

The rescue team rendezvoused with the vessel 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 a Faith Med rescue paramedic were transferred onto the vessel, where they worked alongside the ship’s medical crew to continue treating the patient, who was in a serious but stable condition, and further stabilise him.

High-angle haul

NSRI MEX crew established a technical high-angle rope and rescue basket system. The ship’s master manoeuvred the vessel to create a lee against the strong winds and swells, and in a high-angle technical extrication operation the patient – secured in a basket stretcher and personal protective gear – was transferred onto the rescue craft, followed by the rescue crew.

Safe ashore

In the care of Faith Med paramedics, the patient was brought to the NSRI rescue base and transported to hospital by Faith Med ambulance in a stable condition. He is recovering in hospital under the care of doctors and nurses. The operation was completed at 15:00.

Van Zyl commended the ship’s master and crew for their assistance in the technical maritime rescue operation.