Two Seafarers Evacuated from Boxship off Table Bay

Two crew members have been evacuated from an unnamed containership off the South African coast, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said. 

On October 1, NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for a patient evacuation to hospital from the boxship approaching Table Bay.

One of the seafarers suffered an injury and another had a medical complaint, according to NSRI.

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), a Government Health EMS duty doctor, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, TNPA and NSRI Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) assisted in coordination and logistics for the operation.

A rescue craft accompanied by rescue paramedics was launched upon received the request, NSRI added.

NSRI reached the ship 14 nautical miles offshore Table Bay in calm sea conditions and the crewmen were transferred onto the sea rescue craft.

Both patients have been transported to a local hospital and are in stable conditions, NSRI further said.