Indian Crew Medevaced off Albay

An Indian crew member of a Bermuda-flagged cargo ship was medically evacuated by the personnel of Philippine Coast Guard Station (CGS) Albay around 12 p.m. Saturday, January 25 at the vicinity of Albay Gulf Anchorage Area.

Reports received by Coast Guard District Bicol (CGDBCL) from Coast Guard Action Center Manila revealed that Pranavkumar Bhimji, 39, is suffering from abdominal pain while MV Kiel Express was underway to Melbourne, Australia.

CGS Albay immediately coordinated with the representative of Anglo- Eastern Ship Management Ltd. for the conduct of medical evacuation operation.

Subsequently, Coast Guard Bicol medical team, together with the Quarantine, Immigration and Customs personnel as well as the ship agent, departed Legaspi Port enroute to vicinity Albay Gulf Anchorage Area to medevac Bhimji.

Upon arrival onboard MV Kiel Express, the joint medical team coordinated with ship captain Nerurkar Kedar Waman and provided assessment to the patient.

Bhimji was then successfully transferred on a motor boat and was brought to Legaspi Port where he was immediately transported to Aquinas Hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.

The 53,783 GT MV Kiel Express was sailing from Port Yantian in China and en route to Melbourne, Australia when the incident occurred.

coastguard.gov.ph