Indian Coast Guard steps in to rescue critically-ill seafarer from a Liberian oil tanker

New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued a 52-year-old Indian seafarer who suffered a stroke on the MT Babylon, a Liberian-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), approximately 350 nautical miles off India's coast. The rescue operation was a collaborative effort between the Indian Coast Guard (Region West), the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai, and the Indian Navy.

In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Coast Guard shared, "Indian Coast Guard (Region West) coordinated a rescue operation undertaken jointly by MRCC (MBI) and Indian Navy, resulting in the successful medical evacuation of a 52-year-old Indian seafarer."

The Indian Coast Guard explained that the seafarer experienced an acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke, while on the MT Babylon, which was approximately 350 nautical miles from the Indian coastline.

Immediate action was taken to address the seafarer’s critical condition. After the rescue, the patient was quickly transferred to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. The Coast Guard reported that the seafarer's condition remains critical.

This operation follows another rescue mission by the Indian Coast Guard on October 30, where they evacuated an unconscious crew member from the fishing boat Madhuram, located 90 kilometers from Pipavav, near Gujarat's west coast.

(IANS with edits)