Porbandar, July 27 (IANS) A 21-year-old seafarer was airlifted to safety off the Porbandar coast after the Indian Coast Guard carried out a complex medical evacuation in rough seas and adverse weather, rescuing the crew member from a merchant vessel that could not safely berth, officials said on Monday.
The operation was launched after the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai alerted Coast Guard District Headquarters-1 (CGDHQ-1) in Porbandar on the night of July 25 about a medical emergency aboard the merchant vessel ‘MT Murlikisan’.
The seafarer was reported to be suffering from acute chest pain and a high fever, requiring urgent medical attention.
According to the Coast Guard, prevailing sea conditions ruled out an open-sea transfer. The vessel was therefore directed to proceed to the inner anchorage, about 2.1 nautical miles off the Porbandar breakwater.
However, as docking could not be carried out, the Coast Guard deployed an Advanced Light Helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Porbandar to conduct the evacuation.
The helicopter successfully winched the patient from the vessel and transported him to the Coast Guard Air Enclave, where an Indian Coast Guard medical officer provided initial stabilisation.
The seafarer was then shifted to Asha Hospital in Porbandar for specialised treatment. His condition is reported to be stable.
Officials described the mission as a coordinated medical evacuation carried out under challenging weather conditions and reiterated its commitment to maritime search-and-rescue operations under its motto, “Vayam Rakshamah (We Protect)”.
The rescue is the latest in a series of medical evacuations undertaken by the Indian Coast Guard.
A few days ago, the Coast Guard evacuated a 29-year-old Indian mariner suffering from a medical emergency aboard the tanker ‘MT Kashimasan’ off the Goa coast, transferring him ashore for urgent treatment.
The force has also conducted similar helicopter-based rescues off the Gujarat coast.
In July 2024, an Advanced Light Helicopter from Coast Guard Air Enclave, Porbandar, evacuated a critically ill crew member from the motor tanker ‘Zeal’ near Mangrol despite heavy rainfall, strong winds and poor weather, while previous operations have included evacuations from merchant vessels and fishing boats in the Arabian Sea.
–IANS
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