Coast guard rescues Iranian fisherman

Panaji:Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully carried out a long-range medical evacuation of a critically injured Iranian fisherman who sustained severe injuries to both eyes and deep lacerations on his right ear following an explosion during a fuel transfer to the generator on the fishing dhow vessel, Al-Owais.The five-member crew vessel, which had suffered an engine failure, was located in the middle of the Arabian Sea, approximately 1,500 km west of the Indian coastline.The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai, received information from MRCC Chabahar, Iran, about the medical emergency and activated the international safety net to alert all nearby vessels and initiate coordinated assistance towards the dhow.ICG ship Sachet, which was returning from an overseas deployment to East African countries, and MT STI Grace, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker en route from Kuwait to Moroni, were directed to render immediate assistance.The crew of the tanker, after rendezvousing with Al-Owais, provided telemedical first aid and stabilisation under the guidance of ICG medical personnel.Later, MT STI Grace met with the ICG ship Sachet for the transfer of the patient and further medical management .The injured Iranian fisherman is currently receiving medical treatment onboard the ICG ship Sachet, which is heading towards Goa for further procedures.