Navy swiftly responds to bring ashore an ill fisherman for urgent treatment

The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to bring ashore an ill fisherman and transfer him to hospital, for urgent medical attention on 09 Apr 26. The fisherman was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler off the south coast and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the fisherman.

The multi-day fishing trawler ‘Hasindu Putha’ (IMUL-A-0485 TLE), with 06 crew from Tangalle, was fishing approximately 149 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka on 21 March when a fisherman suffered severe chest pain. The developments prompted the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to alert the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, seeking immediate assistance.

The Navy, alerted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, dispatched a naval craft from the Southern Naval Command. Subsequently, the patient was transferred at sea and brought to the Port of Hambantota administering first aid. He was then rushed to the District General Hospital Hambantota for medical attention.

Meanwhile, the Navy remains alert to such emergencies affecting the fishing and naval communities, in close coordination with MRCC Colombo.