Working Conditions Aboard the Lng-Kano

On August 25, 2019, a life-saving operation unfolded in the Strait of Gibraltar when two men were rescued from the sea, nearly succumbing to severe hypothermia after clinging to their submerged jet ski. The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) vessel, "Sir Francis Richards," located the distressed individuals roughly seven nautical miles southeast of Gibraltar Rock, responding to a call from the crew of the LNG tanker, "LNG Kano." The alarm was raised by Spain’s maritime rescue service, Salvamento Marítimo, prompting the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) to launch a cross-border search and rescue operation at 1:20 p.m. The GPA effectively coordinated multiple vessels from the RGP, HM Customs, and the Gibraltar Defence Police. As they combed through the bay battling heavy swells, accurate information finally emerged from the LNG Kano, indicating the jet skiers’ position. In a remarkable effort, the RGP vessel sped to the last known coordinates while coordinating with the marine traffic center in Tarifa, and was soon joined by a Salvamento Marítimo SAR helicopter to aid in the search. Despite challenging visibility conditions, the RGP team successfully spotted the two men clinging to their watercraft. They were quickly brought aboard the police vessel, where they received vital first aid for hypothermia. Soon after, the vessel "Salvamar Atria" arrived at the scene to assist. The men were swiftly transferred for further medical treatment, with the Salvamar team confirming that without immediate intervention, the two individuals would likely not have survived much longer in the frigid waters. The operation concluded with all involved vessels returning safely to port, although the jet ski was lost as attempts to tow it through the heavy seas proved unsuccessful. Acting Commissioner Richard Ullger commended the seamless collaboration between local and Spanish rescue teams, highlighting the shared commitment to saving lives in dire circumstances.