Ian Gray, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said: “On 11 January at 17h09 NSRI Port Elizabeth were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following a request for urgent medical assistance from the 40 metre Premier Fishing Company (Cape Town) long line crayfish trawler Ibahy reporting a 40 year old male deckhand onboard, from Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, struck by a crayfish net anchor, 17 nautical miles South of Port Elizabeth.
The ship’s Captain had already altered course heading towards the Port of Port Elizabeth and NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteers launched our sea rescue craft Eikos Rescuer IV and rendezvoused with the trawler 7.5 nautical miles South of Cape Recife in 23 knot Southerly winds and 1.5 to 2.5 metre swells.
Our NSRI medics were put aboard the trawler and the deckhand was found to be on the deck in the same place where he had fallen, after being struck by the crayfish net anchor, (the Captain of the ship had instructed that the patient not be moved by his crew, prior to the NSRI’s arrival, for fear of increasing the degree of his injury), and his fellow crew were found to be managing the patient for shock, limiting movement to prevent further injury and to prevent any possible increase to the degree of his injuries and keeping the patient secure, reassured and warm.
The patient, suffering a suspected shoulder (scapula) fracture and a suspected forearm (radius) fracture, was stabilised on deck by NSRI medics who also took the precaution of securing the patients Cervical Spine by immobilising the patient who was secured onto a stokes basket stretcher and transferred onto our sea rescue craft.
On our arrival at our sea rescue base the patient has been handed into the care of Gardmed ambulance services and transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The Captain and his crew, of Ibahy, can be commended for their professional and effective conduct in dealing with this emergency and for the care they displayed in the treatment of their fellow crewman.
It appears that while (believed to be) lifting a crayfish net the crayfish net anchor line may have come up too quickly possibly bouncing or flipping the anchor on a roller and hitting the deckhand, who apparently ducked to avoid the anchor, on the back of his right shoulder and right arm – although an official inquiry will be opened by SAMSA (the South African Maritime Safety Authority).”
Alan Straton
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