Navy responds to medical emergency of foreign vessel crew member

The Sri Lanka Navy evacuated a crew member critically injured aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The operation was conducted in the early hours of today, 1 November 2026, in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.

The vessel, MV Spirit of Tokyo (IMO 9761231), was navigating within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR) when a crew member suffered a severe head injury in an accident on board. Upon receiving the request for urgent assistance through MRCC Colombo, the Navy initially provided early medical advice to the vessel. The cargo ship was subsequently instructed to head towards the port of Galle.

Navy-deployed Fast Attack Craft, P 451, attached to the Southern Naval Command met the vessel off the Galle harbour and transferred the patient ashore. The injured crew member was admitted to a private hospital in Galle for further treatment with the assistance of the ship’s local agent.

Navy remains on constant vigil to provide assistance to the maritime and fishing communities in distress within Sri Lanka's Search and Rescue Region.