Video Shows Indian Navy Brave Rough Weather To Rescue Critically Injured Chinese Mariner From Sea

Mumbai: Personnel of the Indian Navy braved through rough weather to rescue a critically injured Chinese mariner from the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday.

A senior naval official said the mariner was airlifted from a bulk carrier by an Indian Navy helicopter off the coast of Mumbai.

The official said the patient was transported to an air station by helicopter and subsequently shifted to a hospital for further medical management.

The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai received a distress call on Tuesday from bulk carrier 'Zhong Shan Men' 200 nm (approximately 370 km) from Mumbai reporting heavy blood loss, due to a critical injury to a 51-year-old Chinese mariner, requesting immediate evacuation, the Navy said.

"Despite the challenging conditions with winds over 45 knots and the ship experiencing heavy roll, compounded with non-availability of a clear area on the continuous deck, the patient was successfully airlifted from the bridge wing of the vessel," it said.

ICGS Samrat was also diverted to render assistance in the area. This joint operation coordinated by MRCC (MBI) with the Indian Navy led to the safe and timely evacuation of the patient, the official said.

The official page of the Indian Navy shared images and videos of the rescue operation with an elongated post stating, “#IndianNavy successfully evacuates a Critically injured #Chinese Mariner from Bulk Carrier ZHONG SHAN MEN, 200nm (approx 370km) from #Mumbai. Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Mumbai received a distress call on PM #23Jul 24 from the bulk carrier reporting heavy blood loss due to critical injury to 51 Yr old mariner requesting immediate evacuation. Responding to the medical emergency, a Seaking helo was launched from #IndianNavy Air Station #INSShikra at 0550 hrs today. Challenging weather conditions with winds over 45 knots & heavy rolling of the ship were compounded by non-availability of continuous deck. The patient was successfully airlifted from the bridge wing of the vessel &  transported back to the air station by and subsequently shifted to hospital for further medical management. #ICGSSamrat in area was also diverted to render assistance. The safe & timely evacuation of the patient was a result of #jointoperation coordinated by MRCC (MBI) with #IndianNavy.”

Responding to the medical emergency, a Seaking helicopter was launched from Indian Naval Air Station INS Shikra at 5.50 am, the official said.

(with PTI inputs)