-Edited by Bev Mortimer- A fisherman, suffering from serious injuries, was treated and cared for by an NSRI ASR rescue swimmer and an EMS rescue paramedic, who were hoisted onto a boat by an SAAF helicopter, 7 nautical miles offshore off Cape Recife today.
Kevin Warren, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said NSRI Gqeberha volunteer duty crew were alerted at 12.58 today, 31 August, by NSRI Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) after requests from Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre for an airborne Sea Rescue swimmer and EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic to accompany an SA Air Force (SAAF) Squadron 15 Charlie Flight. The helicopter was preparing to evacuate an adult crewman patient on a motor fishing boat . The crewman was reported to be unresponsive.
The NSRI rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha was launched as a back-up resource while the SAAF BK-117 helicopter took off accompanied by 2 NSRI ASR rescue swimmers and an EMS rescue paramedic.
NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), SAAF 15 Squadron Charlie Flight air traffic controllers, Telkom Maritime Radio Services and a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor all assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in the logistics and coordination of the medical rescue operation.
On the boat medical treatment was commenced to the fisherman. Owing to the serious nature of his injuries, the injured fisherman was not evacuated. Instead the NSRI ASR rescue swimmer and EMS paramedic remained onboard the casualty vessel, continuing to treat the patient while the boat motored into the Port of Gqeberha, accompanied by the NSRI rescue craft.
Once safely in Port the fisherman was transported to hospital by an EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition where he remains for medical treatment.
The operation was completed at 3 pm.
