Seafarer evacuated off ship near Richards Bay in medical emergency

It was a four-hour rescue operation to save the life of an American seafarer, who suffered a medical emergency onboard a roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) motor vessel off the coast of Richards Bay on Sunday.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Richards Bay Station 19 crew responded to a call to evacuate the 70-year-old man who was in a serious condition.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Successful rescue of distressed sailing yacht near Richards Bay

The vessel had turned around and was heading back to Richards Bay at the time of the incident.

The NSRI launched its rescue craft Ocean Guardian, which was accompanied by an NSRI crew rescue paramedic from KZN EMS, and an NSRI maritime extrication crew.

“We rendezvoused with the vessel 2 nautical miles south east of Richards Bay, at anchorage, where the American motor vessel provided a lee to assist in the operation against gusting 30 knot south-easterly winds in 3 to 4 meter sea swells,” said NSRI Richards Bay station commander Norman Rautenbach.

“Our NSRI rescue paramedic was transferred on board the motor vessel and medically evaluated the patient. He was transferred onto the NSRI rescue craft secured into a harness and safety lines, using high-angle extrication equipment, followed by the rescue paramedic,” he added.

In a serious but stable condition, the man was transported safely to the NSRI rescue base and transferred to hospital for further treatment.

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