Indian Coast Guard successfully conducted a swift sea-air coordinated medical evacuation off Goa on June 6. Information was received at 0430 hours at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (Mumbai), that Captain of the ship MT ELIM, Yi Myong Bok, a 50 yr old South Korean national needed emergency medical management. The Marshall Island flag vessel was about 109 nm south west of Goa at the time of receipt of information. While the vessel was directed to proceed towards Goa with best available speed, a swift operational plan was drawn by Coast Guard District HQ Goa for safe evacuation of the patient.
At 0530 hrs, Indian Coast Guard ship C-158 sailed out from Goa, maintained continuous communication with MT ELIM and periodically ascertained condition of the patient. For speedy evacuation of the patient Coast Guard Chetak helicopter was launched from Coast Guard Air Enclave(Goa) at 1100 hrs. The helicopter reached the vessel at 1150 hours and braving gusting monsoon winds airlifted the patient with the help of aircrew diver at 1205 hours. The patient was safely brought ashore and shifted to SMRC hospital in Vasco, Goa where his condition is reported to be stable.