BITTERN

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Latest news

Master medevaced off Richards Bay

On Feb 13 2020, at 11.10 a.m. the NSRI Richards Bay was notified by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for a medevac from the 'Bittern' which was approaching the Port of Richards Bay enroute from Mombasa. The lifeboat 'Spirit of Round Table II' was launched with two2 Netcare 911 rescue paramedics on board and rendezvoused with the ship off the port of Richards Bay. The NSRI crew and the rescue paramedics boarded the ship, finding the master suffering a traumatic injury which he had sustained in a fall. He was in a serious condition. An SA Air Force 15 Squadron Oryx helicopter was activated from Durban to assist in the medevac before being stood down en route to the scene after TNPA Port Control secured a berthing for the ship to enter the port and berth immediately at the Dry Bulk Terminal. The patient was stabilized aboard the ship by the paramedics while entering the port. Then the patient was transferred from the ship to the Netcare 911 ambulance secured into a stretcher and wastransported to hospital in Durban in the care of paramedics in a stable condition. The MRCC, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), WC Government Health EMS and NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) assisted in logistics, coordination and communication during this operation. Report with photos: https://www.nsri.org.za/2020/02/sea-rescue-richards-bay-thursday-13-february-patient-evacuation-off-a-ship/

Bulker saved distressed boaties

On Oct 27, 2015, at 9:55 a.m. the CROSS Réunion received a signal from the beacon of the British sailboat "Ironhorse" which was located 158 miles SE of Madagascar. The crew, two men aged, 70 had triggered the distress signal due to damage propulsion and lacking maneuverability of the boat. The CROSS asked ships in the vicinity to divert to the area and provide assistance to the boat. The tanker "Fleves" acccordingly headed towards the boat. In the meantime, the "Bittern" provided assistance to the boaters. At 1:35 p.m., the two sailors were recovered unharmed by the bulkcarrier and taken on to Singapore. French report with photo: http://www.zinfos974.com/Sauvetage-de-deux-plaisanciers-anglais-par-le-petrolier-Bittern_a92985.html