Crewman hospitalized after he had stomach pains

Mluleki Mrwebi
24 November 2013

The National Sea Rescue Institute in Port Elizabeth and volunteer sea rescue duty crew on Saturday were alerted by the Transnet National Ports Authority to be ready to rendezvous, with the 200 meter bulk carrier BBC STEINWALL.

NSRI Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the bulk carrier was sailing from Durban to Cape Town, reporting a 60 year old Filipino crewman to be suffering stomach pain and low blood pressure.

Lambinnon said NSRI launched the sea rescue craft EIKOS RESCUER IV accompanied by a Gardmed ambulance services paramedic and rendezvoused with the ship, 5 nautical miles off-shore in the evening.

He added that paramedics stabilized the patient who was suffering from pain and the patient was transferred aboard the sea rescue craft and brought to shore where a Gardmed ambulance transported him to hospital in a serious but stable condition. And when Hospital doctors operated found a burst appendix and following a successful surgical operation the patient is expected to make a full recovery.