Indian Coast Guard (ICG) recently carried out a successful medical evacuation of a Chinese crew onboard Panama-flagged vessel MT Hua Wei 8 off the Mumbai coast.

"The ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Mumbai, the maritime search and rescue coordinator on the Indian Western Coast, had received a request from the vessel for medical evacuation of a 49-year old Chinese crew due to non availability of the tug, late on October 13, 2023," read a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Defence.

The crew was reportedly suffering from stroke combined with Hemiplegia.

The vessel was on its voyage from New Mangalore to Bin Qasim, Pakistan and was in position 122 nautical miles from Mumbai and was planning to alter course to head towards Mumbai for medical cover.

Considering the critical status of the patient, ICG ship C-439 was deployed for his medical evacuation.

Amidst the extremely low visibility conditions, ICG successfully evacuated the patient from the vessel from Mumbai Anchorage at 0830 hrs and disembarked him at Mumbai harbour.

The patient was subsequently handed over to the local agent at Mumbai Port berth for further medical management ashore.

This operation once again validated ICG’s commitment to maritime safety in Indian waters.