Working Conditions Aboard the Flora-K

On June 6, 2018, at approximately noon, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Port Elizabeth team was activated by the SA Air Force 15 Squadron Charlie Flight. This urgent call came from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to conduct a medical evacuation of two injured sailors from the bulk carrier 'KS Flora', which was en route to East London. The NSRI relayed that a Government Health EMS duty doctor had assessed the sailors' conditions via radio communication. The injured included a 41-year-old Filipino male and a 27-year-old sailor from Manila. Reports indicated that one sailor sustained a suspected fractured left leg involving both the tibia and fibula, while the other suffered an injury to the left ankle. A rescue swimmer from the NSRI, together with an EMS paramedic, boarded a SAAF 15 Squadron Charlie Flight BK-117 helicopter at 1:00 PM. The helicopter then navigated through rough seas, with swells of three to four meters and winds of 15 to 20 knots, meeting the 'KS Flora' approximately seven nautical miles off the East London coast. After being lowered onto the vessel, the rescue team quickly located the injured sailors. Over a 40-minute operation, as the helicopter circled the ship, both sailors were stabilized. The individual with the leg injury was placed in a Baumann’s basket stretcher and safely hoisted into the helicopter. The second sailor, with an ankle injury, was secured in a strop and also lifted aboard, accompanied by the rescue swimmer. Once all individuals were onboard, the helicopter transported the patients to East London Airport in stable condition. Upon landing, the paramedics from Aldersons Ambulance Services took over, transporting both men to the hospital for additional care. The successful rescue operation concluded around 4:00 PM. For further details and a photograph of the operation, visit: http://www.nsri.org.za/2018/06/2-patients-evacuated-off-bulk-carrier/