Death on vessel off Richards Bay

A Filipino ship crewman died on Friday evening from a suspected heart attack, despite frantic efforts by NSRI rescuers and Netcare paramedics.

‘NSRI Richards Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft, Spirit of Richards Bay, to the coal bulk carrier Panamax Neried which was in the outer anchorage, accompanied by Netcare 911 paramedics,’ said Cornel du Toit, NSRI Richards Bay Station Commander.

‘On arrival a rescuer was put aboard the ship and the patient (45), who appeared to be in a stable condition, was secured into a basket stretcher and lowered over the side of the ship onto our sea rescue craft.’

‘There, the paramedics continued medical treatment en route to our sea rescue station where the patient was moved to an ambulance, but sadly, he died en route to hospital.’

The ship’s last port of call was Madagascar and she was due in at the Port of Richards Bay.