July 05, 2024 - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) swiftly responded to a medical emergency on Thursday, evacuating a 35-year-old Chinese crew member who sustained a serious cut to his left thumb.
The incident occurred onboard the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier MV BBG Qinzhou, approximately 20 nautical miles west of Semirara Port in Caluya, Antique. According to the PCG's situation report, the crew member, who served as the ship's second engineer, was accidentally injured by a fan blade.
The PCG, working closely with the captain and agent of the MV BBG Qinzhou, deployed its fast patrol boat BRP Kalanggaman (FPB-2404) to the vessel's location, which was about 1.5 nautical miles off Nogas Island in Anini-y, Antique.
By 6 p.m., the crew member was safely evacuated and transferred onto the PCG vessel. Four PCG medical personnel provided medical attention to the injured man throughout the journey to Muelle Loney Wharf in Iloilo City.
The PCG ship arrived at the Iloilo City wharf at 8:30 p.m., where the patient was then handed over to the vessel's agent for transport to a medical facility.