Maersk-Gairloch Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On October 17, 2020, at 11:36 a.m., the CROSS Jobourg received an urgent call from the Guernsey Coast Guard regarding a medical emergency aboard the container ship 'Maersk Gairloch,' located approximately 14 miles off the coast of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France. The ship's captain reported that a crew member was experiencing severe health issues and had already consulted with the Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (TMAS) in Cuxhaven, which recommended immediate medical evacuation. In response to the situation, the CROSS initiated a crucial conference call with both the maritime medical consultation center based in Toulouse and the maritime medical coordination service in Le Havre, confirming the necessity for an airlift. To execute the evacuation, a Caiman helicopter from the French Navy base at Maupertus was deployed, equipped with a medical team from the army health service’s medical center in Querqueville. By 1:20 p.m., the medical team had successfully boarded 'Maersk Gairloch' to provide first aid and stabilize the patient prior to extraction. Just after 1:51 p.m., the patient was safely hoisted into the helicopter and subsequently transported to Cherbourg, where an ambulance was on standby to take them to CHU de Cherbourg for further medical attention. This efficient rescue operation highlights the effective coordination between maritime services in emergency situations at sea. For more details, view the full French report with photographs at https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/evacuation-medicale-au-large-de-cherbourg-en-cotentin.