In a swift, coordinated operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued a seriously injured Myanmarese sailor from the merchant vessel MV Hyundai Goodwill from Kochi.
Seaman Min Min Lat, 46, injured his right ear and shoulder while working in the vessel’s engine room and injured his right ear and shoulder. In the incident about 250 nautical miles (over 450 km) west of Kochi, he was suffering from persistent bleeding from his ear and severe shoulder pain.
The ship’s owner rang alarm bells and requested Marine Rescue Sub Center (MRSC), Kochi via email, to rescue the patient by helicopter on Monday. Considering the long distance from the coast, the ship was directed to stop at Kochi with the maximum available speed. In addition, the master was consulted over the telephone on medical guidelines and asked to monitor the patient’s parameters.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard Headquarters (Kerala and Mahe) activated the rescue network and liaised with various stakeholders including State Administration, Customs, Immigration and Company Agent for necessary clearances.
A Coast Guard vessel with a special medical team was deployed during the night hours with a port tug to facilitate and coordinate the safe transfer of the critically injured patient. Shortly thereafter, the medical team boarded the merchant ship, conducted a preliminary medical inspection and transferred the patient from the ship to the port tug.
An ICG release said the Coast Guard vessel and the tug returned to port on Tuesday afternoon and the patient was admitted to the Medical Trust Hospital for further treatment.
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