VIZHINJAM: A crew member of a ship bound for the Suez Canal from Colombo suffered a heart attack at sea. The ship was diverted and brought close to the open sea near Vizhinjam. Vizhinjam Coast Guard rescued the ship's crew member who was unconscious due to reduced pulse rate.

Baliola Gilbert (56), a native of the Philippines and a seaman on board the Philippine ship Evelyn Merck, was rescued and taken to the hospital. The ship's captain, Nicolar Alexandre Lulian, called for the assistance of the Vizhinjam Coast Guard and carried out the rescue operation.

The incident took place 55 nautical miles from Vizhinjam last day. Following the message received by the Vizhinjam Coast Guard Centre, the Coast Guard's small vessel C427 arrived and brought the patient to shore. An advanced light helicopter was deployed from Kochi but could not retrieve the patient due to shipboard limitations. The helicopter tried five times but the rescue mission failed. Then in the rescue operation conducted by ICGS 427 led by Vizhinjam Coast Guard Commandant G Sreekumar and Assistant Commandant Subha Raj, the patient was brought safely to Vizhinjam Harbor around 12 am. Coast Guard Medical Officer Sandeep took the patient to a private hospital after giving first aid. The rescue operation was carried out in adverse weather conditions. With the help of a crane and a net, he was lifted from the ship to a small Coast Guard vessel. His condition remains unchanged at the hospital.