In the early hours of Thursday morning, 12 February 2026, Medevac 04 successfully completed its first night maritime medical evacuation off the coast of Cape Town.
At 22h59 on Wednesday evening, 11 February 2026, the GMSRS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was alerted to a medical emergency involving a crew member aboard a Roll-on/Roll-Off (Ro/Ro) vessel at sea. The request for assistance was received via the vessel’s P&I Club, with coordination initiated in line with established maritime and aeromedical protocols.
The GMSRS EOC immediately activated the on-call helicopter medical rescue team in partnership with Cape Town Helicopters. While the crew mobilised to base at Cape Town International Airport, approvals and operational clearances were obtained through the relevant authorities, including Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Port Health, Department of Health medical officers, and local shipping agents.
Once all clearances were in place, the AS365 N2 Dauphin helicopter, callsign “Medevac 04”, departed Cape Town International Airport at 03h18. The aircraft rendezvoused with the vessel approximately 10 nautical miles west of Green Point.
On arrival overhead, a precision night hoist was conducted. The medical rescue team was safely deployed onto the vessel where they assessed and stabilised the patient. After clinical management onboard, the patient was packaged for extraction and hoisted into the aircraft using a specialised rescue stretcher system designed for hoisting operations.
Due to unfavourable wind conditions at the hospital, it was determined that a direct rooftop landing was not suitable. The aircraft returned to Cape Town International Airport, where a ground ambulance was standing by. The patient was transferred by road to hospital in a stable condition.
The mission was successfully concluded at approximately 04h30.
This operation marked Medevac 04’s first live night maritime medical evacuation and demonstrates the capability of a dedicated five-person crew configuration, including two pilots, a helicopter hoist operator, and two advanced medical rescue practitioners, operating in full compliance with Part 138 and Department of Health licensing requirements.
GMSRS and Cape Town Helicopters extend their sincere thanks to all authorities and stakeholders involved for their swift coordination and professionalism. The collaborative efforts of MRCC, Port Health, Department of Health medical officers, shipping agents, insurance and the vessel’s representatives ensured a safe and effective outcome for the patient.
Medevac Africa remains available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for maritime medical evacuation and search and rescue operations.
Contact Information
For emergency medical rescue or search and rescue activations, contact the GMSRS 24/7 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC): +27 87 22 33 180
For general media enquiries, contact our office during office hours on +27 87 073 6700 or email media@gmsrs.com
