CREW at the Sea Rescue Station 19 base at Richards Bay were called into action early Monday morning to transfer an ill seaman from a passing vessel to hospital.
With Netcare 911 Advanced Life Support paramedic Richard Schouten on board along with seven NSRI volunteers, the rescue craft Spirit of Richards Bay launched shortly after 8am.
They rendezvoused nine nautical miles off shore with the fully laden bulk carrier Houston, sailing from Baltimore, USA to India.
‘Conditions were choppy, with a 2-3 metre swell and the vessel still proceeding at about four knots, making it a challenging transfer,’ said NSRI Station Commander Dorian Robertson, who headed the rescue operation.
The patient, Filipino sailor Trinidad Energanio (26) had been treated on board for suspected appendicitis.
‘Although not in a critical condition, the patient was moderately serious and with assistance could climb down the gangway and rope ladder to get onto the NSRI boat,’ said Schouten.
‘Once ashore we transported him by ambulance to Netcare The Bay Hospital in a stable condition.’
