On 7th September, while conducting patrol in the Gulf of Aden, Turkish warship TCG Giresun, under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, quickly responded to an incident and came to the aid of a critically injured seafarer.
At 1:46pm, CMF was informed by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) that one of the crew members of a Greek flagged merchant tanker, MT Aegean Angel, off the coast of Salalah, Oman, had suffered a loss to one of his fingers and was in a critical condition.
Immediately tasked by CTF 151, TCG Giresun quickly sent a medical team by her SH-70 Seahawk helicopter to render assistance. Once the helicopter arrived, the injured sailor was hoisted to the Seahawk and the doctor of the medical team carefully examined and provided immediate medical treatment. The individual was subsequently moved to TCG Giresun.
Upon coordination with the Omani authorities, TCG Giresun proceeded with best speed to Salalah Harbour where a medical team received the injured sailor and took him to hospital where he underwent surgery. After the surgery, crew memebrs from TCG Giresun visited the Greek citizen, injuried sailor Vazoios Marcos, and gave warm wishes for a speedy recovery.
Commenting on the successful medical evacuation, Rear Admiral Emre Sezenler, Commander Combined Task Force 151, said: “After two SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) operations conducted recently by ROKS Dae Jo Yeong, another CTF 151 warship, we now have witnessed another example of the solidarity that bonds all seafarers. I appreciate the efforts by the crew of TCG Giresun for their great contribution to this successful operation. As in the past, and today, CTF 151 will continue to support mariners in the future.”
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 