Last week, the Royal Navy Warship HMS St Albans helped to save the lives of several injured mariners in the Arabian Sea. A truly international effort, the rescue involved Falmouth Coastguard in the UK, military command in Bahrain and HMS St Albans who is currently on duties in the Gulf region.
Vigilance learnt reliably that early on Thursday 30 June, Falmouth Coastguard, who monitors distress signals world-wide, picked up the SOS from MV Pavitt – the ship had lost all power and several of the crew members needed emergency medical treatment. The message was passed to the UK’s Maritime Component Commander in Bahrain who then tasked HMS St Albans, a type 23 Frigate, to respond to the Mayday from the stricken merchant vessel, 122 miles off the coast of Oman.
Our Defence Team gathered the master of the vessel had requested emergency assistance after their ship, having lost power, was being buffeted by a vicious storm creating huge waves and a heavy swell.
The ship as Vigilance learnt contained a crew of 13 people onboard; 3 of which were reported to be seriously ill from prolonged sea sickness. The crew had been pumping the water out for a number of days but it had been requested that St Albans assist with casualties and evacuate the crew.
An MoD source said St Albans’ Merlin helicopter was launched with the Medical Officer to provide medical assistance onboard the stricken vessel. They treated the seriously ill and, at the request of the Master of the vessel, transferred all personnel by helicopter to their sister ship MV Jag Pushpa.
Looking back, Commander Tom Sharpe, Commanding Officer of HMS St Albans remarked: “Safety of life at sea is second nature to all mariners. On this occasion we were very pleased to have been able to help using all the assets available to us. We wish the mariners from MV Pavitt a speedy and successful recovery.”