Indian Coast Guard evacuates injured Filipino merchant sailor

Mumbai Aug 2 (IANS) The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday helped evacuate a Philipine sailor who was injured aboard a merchant ship around 350 km off Mumbai an official said here on Wednesday.

The operation was initiated after the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at the ICG headquarters here got information aboard a merchant vessel Rickmers Shanghai sailing towards Singapore.

While working crewman Pilayre Gil Lopena 46 crushed his fingers leading to severe bone fracture.

The MRCC swung into action and diverted the vessel to Mumbai and got in touch with the ship s agent ISS Shipping here besides advising the captain on providing medical aid to Lopena.

After obtaining all necessary clearances from various departments the ICG brought the patient in a tug to Mumbai around 7.30 am today (Wednesday).

He has been shifted to Wockhardt Hospital for treatment where his conditions is described as stable.

--IANS
qn/vd