The Sri Lanka Navy evacuated an injured crew member from a foreign cargo vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka in the early hours of Sunday (1).
According to the Navy, the crew member suffered a serious head injury following an accident aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship MV Spirit of Tokyo, which was sailing within Sri Lanka’s maritime Search and Rescue Region.
The vessel contacted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, requesting urgent assistance to transfer the injured crew member ashore for medical treatment.
The Navy initially provided medical advice to the vessel before arrangements were made to bring the patient closer to Galle Harbour.
A Fast Attack Craft, P 451, attached to the Southern Naval Command, was deployed to evacuate the injured crew member.
The patient was brought ashore and transferred to a private hospital in Galle for further treatment, with assistance from the vessel’s local agent.
The Navy said it remains prepared to respond to maritime emergencies involving vessels and fishing communities within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region and adjacent waters. (Newswire)