MyPE

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Ship Casualty Evacuations off of Port Elizabeth Coast

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Justin Erasmus, the NSRI Port Elizabeth Deputy Station Commander said; “At 07h30 on Tuesday 25 October, our NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer duty crew were activated to rendezvous with the 200 meter bulk carrier MANDARIN EAGLE, sailing from Gabon to Singapore, requesting urgent medical assistance for two Chinese crew members, a 56 year old and a 24 year old, males, who had been washed across the ships deck, reportedly colliding with a staircase, after a wave swept over the deck.

“Following the incident, at deep-sea while passing the coast of South Africa, the ships Captain set course for the nearest Port while their ships medic attended to the patients and while raising the alarm requesting the most appropriate casualty evacuation for the two injured sailors.

“A Metro EMS duty doctor monitored the patients progress during the night via radio telephone (communications assisted by Maritime Radio Services).

“Our NSRI volunteer duty crew launched our sea rescue craft EIKOS RESCUER IV at 07h30 this morning accompanied by a GuardMed ambulance services paramedic and we rendezvoused with the ship 3 nautical miles outside of Port and the patients were transferred aboard our sea rescue craft accompanied by their ships medic (as interpreter) and once safely ashore both men have been transported to hospital by GuardMed ambulance in stable conditions. The 56 year old suffering a leg fracture and a laceration to his leg and the 24 year old suffering bruising and lacerations to his face with possible facial bone fractures.”

“Once completed, at 09h50 today our NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew launched our sea rescue craft EIKOS RESCUER IV following a request for urgent medical assistance from the 200 meter bulk carrier BEAUFIKS (also passing the South African coast and sailing from The United Arab Emirates to Brazil) reporting a 49 year old crewman (the ships head chef), a Filipino, suffering hypertension (raised blood pressure).

“On arrival on-scene NSRI medics stabilized the patient who was then transferred onto our sea rescue craft and brought ashore and transported, in a stable condition, to hospital for further examination and treatment.”

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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.