A 21-year-old seafarer was airlifted to safety off the coast of Porbandar following a medical emergency onboard the merchant vessel MT Murlikisan, Indian Coast Guard officials reported on July 26. The operation took place amid rough seas and adverse weather conditions, which complicated the rescue effort.

The incident was first reported late on July 25 when the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai informed Coast Guard District Headquarters-1 in Porbandar about the urgent medical situation. The seafarer was experiencing acute chest pain and a high fever, symptoms that required immediate medical intervention.

Due to challenging sea conditions, the Indian Coast Guard determined that an open-sea transfer was not feasible. The vessel was instructed to move to the inner anchorage approximately 2.1 nautical miles from the Porbandar breakwater, but since it could not dock safely, an aerial evacuation was initiated.

An Advanced Light Helicopter, deployed from the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Porbandar, successfully winched the patient from the vessel and transported him back to the enclave. There, an Indian Coast Guard medical officer administered initial treatment to stabilize him before transferring the patient to Asa Hospital in Porbandar for specialized care. Officials confirmed that the seafarer’s condition is stable.

The Coast Guard described the evacuation as a complex and well-coordinated operation conducted under adverse weather conditions. The mission underscores the service’s ongoing commitment to maritime search and rescue efforts, carried out under its motto, “Vayam Rakshamah” (We Protect).

This rescue is part of a series of recent medical evacuations conducted by the Indian Coast Guard. Several days prior, the force helmed the evacuation of a 29-year-old Indian mariner in a critical condition from the tanker MT Kashimsan off the coast of Goa. Similar medical rescues have also been reported along the Gujarat coastline.