Injured Sri Lanka seamen evacuated offshore of Durban

-Edited by Bev Mortimer – NSRI volunteer, duty crew evacuated two Sri Lanka crewmen off a ship at offshore of Durban yesterday after a wave swept them off a ladder on the deck, causing them to be critically injured

Roy Wienand, NSRI Durban station commander, said yesterday, 16 November, NSRI Durban Station 5 volunteer duty crew and ambulance services were activated ass the crewmen on a bulk carrier ship.

NSRI Durban duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), Transnet National Ports Authority, Durban Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, SA Police Services (SAPS) Sea Borderline Control, a WC Government Health EMS duty doctor and Netcare 911 duty controllers assisted Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in the logistics and coordination of the urgent rescue operation.

The NSRI crew members and  Netcare 911 technical rescue paramedics launched the NSRI Durban rescue craft, Alick Rennie, and met the ship 5 nautical miles offshore. 2 NSRI Marine Extrication crew and the paramedics were transferred onto the  ship to assist the ship’s medical crew who had already  initiated medical treatment to the pair of semen , aged 26 and 38.

TNPA Durban Port Control arranged for the vessel to enter the Port of Durban without delay due to the critical nature of injuries sustained to the crewmen

Owing the severity of the injuries sustained by both men the paramedics continued to render medical treatment onboard the ship to stabilise the men’s injuries, instead of transferring them to Durban harbour in rough 3 to 4 meter sea swells and a strong North Easterly wind.

The ship entered Durban harbour and  the NSRI crew onboard the ship, assisted by the ships crew, Durban Port technicians, NSRI shore crew and Netcare 911 paramedics rigged high angle extrication gear to transfer the patients to  the quayside and and then taken by ambulance to hospital in serious but stable condition . They are receiving ongoing medical care in hospital.

The swift response to the emergency and cooperation of all involved is commended.

The operation completed at around 11.30 pm.