A Chinese crew of a Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier was evacuated by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after he accidentally injured himself while sailing off Caluya, Antique on Thursday, July 4.
The patient is a 35-year-old second engineer of MV BBG Qinzhou, who cut his left thumb with a fan blade or metal, “resulting in significant pain and requiring hospital treatment,” while underway the vicinity waters 20.69 nautical miles west of Semirara Port around 9 a.m.
According to the PCG, the foreign vessel departed Nansha, China en route to Tanjung Bara, Indonesia when the incident occurred.
Upon receiving a report about the incident, the PCG deployed its fast patrol boat BRP Kalanggaman (FPB-2404) to the area. They located the ship at the rendezvous area some 1.5 nautical miles off Nogas Island in Anini-y, Antique.
The PCG coordinated with the captain and agent of MV BBG Qinzhou for the medical evacuation of the patient around 6 p.m.
“Four PCG medical personnel provided medical assistance while underway to Muelle Loney Wharf in Iloilo City,” PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said on Friday, July 5.
BRP Kalanggaman arrived in Iloilo City around 8:30 p.m. and the patient was turned over by the PCG to MV BBG Qinzhou’s agent. The patient was then transported to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention, the PCG said.