Indian Coast Guard Conducts Life-Saving Medical Evacuation of Critically Ill Mariner in Bay of Bengal

Photo Source: SNS

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully carried out a swift and complex medical evacuation of a critically ill mariner from a Liberia-flagged merchant vessel in the Bay of Bengal.

The operation was initiated in the early hours of June 14 after the master of MV MSC Diya F, which was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, issued an urgent distress call seeking medical assistance for a crew member, A.B. Venkatesh Krishnan (39), who had reportedly developed symptoms of cardiac arrest while onboard.

At approximately 2:00 a.m., the Coast Guard received the emergency alert and immediately established communication with the vessel. Telemedicine support was quickly arranged, allowing medical experts to provide preliminary guidance to the crew and help stabilize the patient while preparations for an evacuation were underway.

Following a detailed assessment of the mariner’s symptoms and medical history, Coast Guard medical officers determined that an immediate evacuation was necessary to ensure access to advanced medical treatment.

The Coast Guard deployed the interceptor boat ICGS C-158, specially equipped for medical emergency operations, from Paradip. Despite challenging sea conditions, the vessel successfully reached the merchant ship off the Odisha coast and safely transferred the patient onboard.

During the high-speed return journey to Paradip Port, the Coast Guard team continued providing first aid and monitoring the mariner’s condition. Upon arrival, the patient was handed over to the shipping company’s local representatives and transferred to a specialized medical facility for further treatment.

Officials stated that the rapid response, effective coordination, and professionalism of the Coast Guard personnel played a crucial role in ensuring that the mariner received urgent medical care without unnecessary delay.

The successful mission once again demonstrated the Indian Coast Guard’s ability to execute critical search-and-rescue and medical evacuation operations, even under difficult weather and sea conditions, reaffirming its dedication to protecting lives across India’s vast maritime domain.