PCG rescues ill crew member from passenger vessel off Batangas

Philippine Coast Guard personnel assess a 57-year-old crew member aboard a passenger vessel off the coast of Batangas after he reportedly showed symptoms of a mild stroke while the ship was en route to Manila. —Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard LUCENA CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Batangas evacuated a crew member from a passenger vessel after he reportedly suffered symptoms of a mild stroke while the ship was sailing off Batangas on Sunday, July 19. In a report, the PCG-Batangas said it received an emergency medical evacuation request from the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) Batangas at 11:20 a.m. The patient, a 57-year-old third engineer, experienced symptoms consistent with a mild stroke while the vessel was en route from Cagayan de Oro City to Manila and navigating waters south of Maricaban Island in Tingloy, Batangas. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Woman gives birth on ship before reaching Leyte A Coast Guard response team immediately proceeded to the vessel and conducted an initial assessment, finding the crew member conscious and responsive. The patient, whose identity was withheld, was safely transferred to a rigid-hull inflatable boat, allowing the passenger vessel to continue its voyage to Manila. The PCG team then transported the patient to the port of Batangas, where he was turned over to a waiting ambulance and immediately taken to Batangas Health Care Specialists Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment. READ: Midwife praised for helping deliver baby aboard boat to Zambo Article continues after this advertisement According to information provided by fellow crew members, the patient had been unable to take his prescribed maintenance medication. Upon waking up, he reportedly experienced numbness in one of his legs. Recognizing the seriousness of his condition, the vessel’s crew immediately coordinated with authorities to request an emergency medical evacuation. /atm Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.