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The Chilean Navy reported the execution of an emergency aeromedical rescue operation within the jurisdiction of the Third Naval Zone in a sector of the western mouth of the Strait of Magellan. The objective was to evacuate a Filipino crew member from the Vela vessel, which sails under the Marshall Islands flag.
The operation was carried out by Naval Helicopter N-57 of the Southern Aeronaval Group, which deployed to the coordinates reported by the 11-year-old ship, measuring 229 meters in length and 32 meters in beam. The bulk carrier was sailing south from Vancouver, Canada, to Paranaguá, Brazil.
"Once in the area, the aircraft performed a hover over the Vela, allowing the execution of the evacuation maneuver. In a first phase, aeronaval nurses were inserted onto the ship's deck, where they received the patient and performed initial stabilization. Subsequently, the crew member was evacuated by stretcher and hoisted aboard the helicopter using its rescue crane," the Chilean Maritime Authority communicated.
"Weather conditions in the sector were favorable, which allowed the operation to be carried out safely and efficiently in a few minutes. After the evacuation, the patient was transferred to Punta Arenas, where he was delivered to the helipad of the Magallanes Clinical Hospital to personnel of the establishment for medical attention, being in stable condition at the time of delivery," it added.
"This operation demonstrates the response capability of the Third Naval Zone in hard-to-reach areas, through the use of specialized aeronaval assets and interagency coordination, contributing to the safeguarding of human life at sea in the southernmost region of the country," concluded the Chilean Navy's statement.
