MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

On the High Seas During Lockdown

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Justin Erasmus, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said: At 14h25, Friday, 15 May, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Toft, accompanied by an EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic, to rendezvous with a bulk carrier motor vessel approaching Port Elizabeth to patient evacuate a 49 year old Filipino sailor suffering a medical emergency.

The ship that was deep sea at the time passing the South African coastline was instructed to head towards the nearest Port at Port Elizabeth after a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor in communications with the ships medical crew confirmed that the patient required hospital care as soon as possible.

Our NSRI sea rescue craft rendezvoused with the ship 10 nautical miles off-shore of Port Elizabeth and an NSRI rescue swimmer and the EMS rescue paramedic boarded the ship.

The paramedic took over care of the patient from the ships medical crew and aided by a safety line and a harness the patient was transferred onto the sea rescue craft.

The patient, in a stable condition and in the care of the paramedic, was brought to our NSRI Port Elizabeth sea rescue base and he has been transported to hospital by EMS ambulance.

All Covid-19 precautions and protocols were observed during the operation.

NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, WC Government Health EMS, EC Government Health EMS, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty controllers, Transnet National Ports Authority and Port Health Authorities assisted Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in communications, coordination and logistics during the operation.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.