Navy renders assistance to bring ashore ill fisherman for medical attention

The Sri Lanka Navy today, 23 July 2026, rendered assistance to bring ashore an ill fisherman for urgent medical attention. 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 fisherman had been aboard the multi-day fishing trawler carrying 6 crew members, which departed the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on 15 July. While engaging in fishing activities approximately 244 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka, one of the crew members developed a sudden medical emergency.

Following a request for assistance, the MRCC Colombo coordinated the response and alerted merchant vessels transiting the area to provide support. The merchant vessel CMA CGM BAHIA responded and safely transferred the fisherman on board to provide immediate assistance while arrangements were made to evacuate him ashore.

On 23 July, a Sri Lanka Navy craft attached to the Western Naval Command was dispatched to receive the patient from the merchant vessel. After the transfer, naval personnel administered first aid before bringing the fisherman to the Port of Colombo. He was subsequently rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo for further medical treatment.

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