Full-Kuo-1-0-1

On May 27, 2018, at 3.45 p.m. the NSRI Durban duty was were placed on alert by the MRCC to prepare to medevac an injured Filipino fisherman from the "Fu Kuo No. 101" that was heading towards Durban from deep sea and expected to be 50 nautical miles off-shore by Monday mid afternoon. In communications between the MRCC, the ships agent and the fishing vessel and a medical assessment made by a Government Health EMS duty doctor, it was determined that the patient, suffering a knife wounds to the stomach, was in a serious condition and a patient evacuation to be carried out as soon as possible. In the morning of May 28, the NSRI lifeboat "Eikos Rescuer II" launched, accompanied by a Netcare 911 rescue paramedic. 30 nautical miles out to sea and with sea conditions found to be too rough to risk a medical patient transfer at sea by boat, the fishing vessel, at that stage 50 nautical miles from Durban, was informed to continue towards Durban Port at best speed. The Transnet National Ports Authority activated its Marine Pilot Services helicopter. At 5.23 p.m., a TNPA Marine Pilot Services Augusta A109 helicopter, accompanied by a Netcare 911 rescue paramedic, responded and rendezvoused with the fishing vessel 11,4 nautical miles off-shore of Durban. Uon arrival on the scene, in rough seas with a 2 to 3 meter swell and strong winds exceeding 40 knots, the rescue paramedic was hoisted onto the fishing vessel and medical treatment commenced to the fisherman who was then secured into a Ferno stretcher and hoisted into the helicopter. Medical treatment continued in the helicopter and the patient has been airlifted to a hospital in Durban in a serious but stable condition where he is to undergo surgery. The rescue operation was completed at 7 p.m.