HMAS Darwin Performs Medical Evacuation of Sick French Fisherman

While patrolling in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Darwin provided emergency medical assistance for a heart attack victim on a French fishing vessel.

The French Fishing Vessel (FV) Cape Saint Vincent called for assistance late on the night of the 10th of April. The French Joint Headquarters requested Darwin’s assistance through the United Kingdom led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150.

Darwin sailed overnight to rendezvous with FV Cape Saint Vincent which was approximately 390 miles off the coast of Tanzania. Darwin deployed her embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk Helicopter and medical team to provide an emergency aero medical evacuation (AME).

The stricken French fisherman, who was suffering heart attack symptoms, was given initial medical assistance on board Darwin. The fisherman was conscious and able to walk. He was then air lifted to Dar Es Salam, Tanzania where he is now in hospital in a stable condition.

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defence, April 16, 2014