ICG evacuates ailing crew on board merchant vessel

VASCO, JULY 14
In a late night rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated an ailing crew on board a merchant vessel at sea off the west coast.
According to Commandant Akshay Jain, merchant vessel MV Nasco Diamond, a cargo vessel, was on passage from Navlakhi to Tanjung Pemancingan, Indonesia, when one of its crew Hang Bin, a Chinese national, fell seriously ill and had to be evacuated immediately.
The ICG after receiving the message from Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Mumbai, and Maritime Rescue Sub Centre, Goa, immediately swung into action.
The Coast Guard Air Station was directed to keep the Helicopter standby and Coast Guard ship C-147 was directed to sail. Maritime Rescue Sub Centre, Goa directed the merchant vessel to come closer to Mormugao port.
The operation team at Goa contacted the vessel for details and meticulously planned the entire operation.
The Coast Guard ship notwithstanding heavy swell and strong wind conditions reached near the merchant vessel at midnight.
However, due to heavy sea conditions and considering safety of the patient the operation, by the ship was called off. The merchant vessel was told to remain in the area. Coast Guard helicopter took off with the first light on July 14 and brought the patient to Vasco.
The patient was admitted to SMRC Hospital in Vasco.