Ship crew member airlifted near Durban harbour
A 46-year-old ships crewman is recovering in hospital after he was evacuated off an oil tanker yesterday morning.
The National Sea Rescue Institute was called out to the tanker six nautical miles off shore of the Port of Durban where the Romanian sailor suffered a medical emergency. It is the second medical emergency at sea near the port this week.
The NSRI's Durban station commander, Andre Fletcher, says the rescue operation was initiated the night before.
"NSRI rescue swimmers, Netcare911 rescue paramedics an SA air force fly team with a squadron helicopter carried out the operation successfully", he said.
"The patient has been airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition for further care", Fletcher said.