Coast Guard evacuates injured crew member from merchant vessel

The Indian Coast Guard evacuated a crew member from merchant vessel ‘Helen’ off the Probandar coast in Gujarat, an official statement stated Wednesday.

The maritime rescue subcentre of the Coast Guard at Porbandar received a call about medical emergency on the Panama-flagged vessel at 10 pm Tuesday. The vessel was on transit from Sikka to Durban, South Africa and was about 200 kms off the Porbandar Coast.

The Coast Guard Interceptor Boat C-161 sailed out and reached the vessel early morning Wednesday. The crew member — an Indian whose index finger on the right hand was severed — was evacuated and was given first aid. Later, he was taken to Porbandar for further treatment, the release added.