[imagesource:freerangestock]

On Sunday, the South African Air Force (SAAF) and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rushed to the aid of a German tourist stranded at sea.

The 72-year-old passenger, aboard a cruise liner some 40 kilometres from the rugged shores of Cape Agulhas, faced a medical emergency that demanded urgent evacuation.

After a tense journey to safety, the 72-year-old was finally brought to land, where medical teams sprang into action. Treated for the urgent condition that had threatened his life, he is now believed to be in stable condition.

As The Citizen reports, a call went out at roughly 11:30AM on 10 November, with the SAAF Oryx helicopter from the 22 Squadron preparing for operation.

Three NSRI airborne sea rescue swimmers, accompanied by provincial emergency service paramedics, were swiftly airlifted to the cruise ship off the Cape, racing against time. Two of the rescuers descended onto the ship’s deck, where they found the elderly tourist, already in the care of the ship’s medical team, but his condition was still critical.

“The unidentified patient was hoisted by the stretcher into the helicopter followed by the two rescue crew,” confirmed NSRI communications officer Craig Lambinon.

Per Arrive Alive, the patient was airlifted to Ysterplaat Air Force Base where ER24 ambulance services, Life Healthcare response paramedics and Taurus Medical were in attendance.

The elderly patient was transported to the hospital by ER24 ambulance in a serious but stable condition.

German tourist medical evacuation off a cruise liner in Cape Town https://t.co/T2NomAF8ut#ArriveAlive #GermanTourist #MedicalEvacuation #CruiseLiner @NSRI pic.twitter.com/DPeaU028ey

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 11, 2024

Grateful for the seamless coordination, Lambinon extended his thanks to the air and duty controllers from the various organisations involved, as well as to the Transnet National Ports Authority Port of Table Bay and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

Their collective efforts ensured the rescue’s success, preventing what could have been a tragedy at sea.

[source:citizen]