The Sri Lanka Navy evacuated a critically injured crew member from a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka earlier today (01).
The rescue operation was carried out in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, the Navy said in a statement.
The vessel, MV Spirit of Tokyo, was sailing within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR) when a crew member sustained a serious head injury in an onboard accident.
Following a request for urgent assistance received through MRCC Colombo, the Navy initially provided medical advice to the vessel before instructing it to proceed towards the Port of Galle.
A Fast Attack Craft, P 451, deployed by the Southern Naval Command, subsequently intercepted the vessel off Galle Harbour and transferred the injured crew member ashore, according to the Navy.
With the assistance of the vessel’s local agent, the patient was admitted to a private hospital in Galle for further medical treatment.
The Navy stated that it remains on constant alert to provide assistance to maritime and fishing communities facing emergencies within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region.
