Medical Evacuation Conducted 35 Nautical Miles South of Cape St Francis

In the early hours of the morning on 3 March 2026, the GMSRS Emergency Operations Centre received a request to assist with an urgent medical evacuation of a patient from a bulk carrier operating between Mossel Bay and Algoa Bay.

The patient, a male crew member, had suffered a medical emergency during the evening and required urgent evacuation.

Medevac Africa and Cape Town Helicopters flight teams were immediately placed on standby for a potential offshore extraction.

Medevac 04, an AS365 Dauphin helicopter, was activated and departed Cape Town International Airport with an advanced life support medical rescue crew onboard. The aircraft routed via George Airport for fuel before continuing offshore to a rendezvous position approximately 35 nautical miles south of Cape St Francis.

Upon arrival on scene, Medevac 04 conducted a deck landing on the bulk carrier. The medical team rapidly assessed, stabilised, and packaged the patient before safely loading him into the aircraft for transport.

The patient was flown directly to Life St George’s Hospital, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where he was handed over to the emergency centre team for further treatment.

Our Emergency Operations Centre coordinated the mission ensuring that all stakeholders were kept informed and that the hospital team was ready to receive the patient.

This operation was Medevac 04’s first mission in the Algoa Bay region and highlights the capability of a dedicated offshore helicopter emergency medical service operating along South Africa’s southern coastline. The AS365 platform provides advanced offshore reach, hoisting capability, and the ability to deploy a full advanced life support medical team into remote maritime environments.

GMSRS and Cape Town Helicopters extend their thanks to all authorities and stakeholders involved for their swift coordination and professionalism. The collaborative efforts of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Port Health, Western Cape Department of Health medical officers, shipping agents, insurers, and the vessel’s representatives ensured a safe and effective outcome for the patient. These coordinated activations form part of South Africa’s structured search and rescue framework, enabling rapid mobilisation of aviation and medical resources when required.

The GMSRS Medevac Africa division is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for maritime medical evacuation and search and rescue operations.