Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 24: Andaman & Nicobar Command executed a coordinated sea and air medical evacuation of a 36-year-old Bangladeshi national who sustained severe head and spinal injuries due a fall onboard merchant vessel MV AMRIS, during the intervening night of 20–21 Sep 26.
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Sri Vijaya Puram, received information from the Master of MV AMRIS regarding the injured crew member, who required urgent medical assistance. The Antigua and Barbuda-registered bulk carrier was enroute from Chittagong, Bangladesh to Krabi, Thailand. On receipt of the information, ANC swiftly coordinated the maritime evacuation and diverted ICGS Rajdoot, which was on patrol, to the vessel’s position. Despite rough seas, darkness and challenging weather conditions, the Coast Guard ship safely reached the merchant vessel and embarked the injured crew member. The casualty was thereafter transported to Diglipur Harbour. In continuation of the coordinated response, the injured crew member was immediately transferred at Diglipur for air evacuation to Sri Vijaya Puram by an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The Helicopter undertook the medical evacuation under challenging weather conditions and safely transported the casualty to Sri Vijaya Puram. On arrival, the injured crew member was handed over to the local agent and subsequently shifted to GB Pant Hospital for further medical treatment.
The coordinated response by the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy under the aegis of Andaman & Nicobar Command ensured timely evacuation and onward medical care of the injured crew member, demonstrating the Command’s ability to integrate sea and air assets for prompt humanitarian assistance and emergency response across the islands and surrounding maritime areas.
