BATU PAHAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA) medical evacuation team rescued a 53-year-old man who had a heart attack at sea.
Batu Pahat zone MMEA director Maritime Commander Mohd Haniff Mohd Yunus said they received an alert from a shipping company agent at 8.25pm on Saturday (March 25) informing them of the incident involving a crewman on the Singapore-bound vessel Vangelis.
The man was identified as Rogelio P. Abucejo from the Philippines, he said.
“We dispatched a medical evacuation team by boat to the vessel’s location 17 nautical miles (31.4km) south-west of Tanjung Tohor, Muar.
“The team found the victim in pain and gave him emergency medical attention. Choppy seas and strong winds delayed the evacuation process but the victim was successfully brought to shore at around 11.40pm,” he said.
He added that Abucejo was rushed to Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail here for treatment.
Mohd Haniff said the incident was also the first medical evacuation by Batu Pahat MMEA this year.
“Besides enforcing maritime law, MMEA also assists the maritime community with such emergencies either by flight or boat,” he added.
Those with emergencies can contact MERS 999 for assistance.
