Port Blair(Sri Vijaya Puram): A coordinated sea-and-air medical evacuation by the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) enabled the timely rescue and hospitalisation of a 36-year-old Bangladeshi crew member who suffered severe head and spinal injuries aboard a merchant vessel in the Andaman Sea. The crewman was injured after a fall aboard the Antigua and Barbuda-registered bulk carrier MV AMRIS during the intervening night of September 20–21. The vessel was sailing from Chittagong in Bangladesh to Krabi, Thailand, when its Master sought urgent medical assistance through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Sri Vijaya Puram.
Acting on the distress information, the ANC coordinated the evacuation and diverted Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajdoot, which was on patrol in the area, towards the merchant vessel. Despite darkness, rough seas and adverse weather conditions, the Coast Guard ship reached MV AMRIS and successfully embarked the injured crew member.
The casualty was taken to Diglipur Harbour, where a rapid transfer to an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) was arranged for onward evacuation to Sri Vijaya Puram. The helicopter carried out the medical evacuation despite challenging weather and safely brought the injured crewman to the capital. On arrival at Sri Vijaya Puram, he was handed over to the local agent and subsequently shifted to GB Pant Hospital for further medical treatment.
The operation highlighted the importance of coordinated sea-and-air response capabilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly for providing emergency medical assistance to vessels operating in the surrounding maritime region.
