While patrolling in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) ship, Royal Australian Navy Ship (HMAS) Darwin, provided emergency medical assistance to a heart attack victim on a French fishing vessel.

HMAS Darwin approaches French fishing vessel, Cap Saint Vincent, to respond to a distress signal sent from the boat.
HMAS Darwin approaches French fishing vessel, Cap Saint Vincent, to respond to a distress signal sent from the boat.

The vessel’s late night call for assistance to French authorities was relayed to HMAS Darwin via CMF’s Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 staff, based in Bahrain. HMAS Darwin is currently undertaking maritime security and counter terror related activity patrols under the UK led 150 task force.

HMAS Darwin sailed overnight to rendezvous with the fishing vessel approximately 390 miles off the coast of Tanzania. The ship deployed its embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter and medical team to provide initial medical assistance and an emergency aero medical evacuation for the stricken French fisherman, who was suffering heart attack symptoms.

The man was air lifted to hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, where he remains in a stable condition.

HMAS Darwin's embarked S-70B Seahawk helicopter, 'Blackout', winches Medic, Leading Seaman Tracey Kearns onto the forecastle of the French vessel, Cap Saint Vincent, in response to a distress signal sent from the boat.
HMAS Darwin’s embarked S-70B Seahawk helicopter, ‘Blackout’, winches Medic, Leading Seaman Tracey Kearns onto the forecastle of the French vessel, Cap Saint Vincent, in response to a distress signal sent from the boat.

Commander Terry Morrison,HMAS Darwin’s Commanding Officer, said: “Today we provided assistance to a fellow mariner who needed our help. We worked closely with the Combined Maritime Forces to quickly and safely perform this medical evacuation.”

Commodore Jeremy Blunden Royal Navy, Commander of CTF 150, said: “There has always been a tradition that mariners help other mariners no matter what and I am delighted that HMAS Darwin was in a position to help this fisherman. The medical evacuation was very professionally conducted by Darwin and I send my congratulations to her Commanding Officer and ship’s company on a job well done.”