KRALENDIJK – The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard carried out an emergency medical evacuation on Friday, October 30, after a French female crew member aboard a tanker northeast of Bonaire suffered a serious hand injury requiring urgent medical treatment in Curaçao.
According to the Coast Guard, the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) received a distress call from the tanker on Friday morning requesting immediate medical assistance for the injured crew member.
The vessel was sailing northeast of Bonaire when the emergency occurred.
Upon receiving the call, personnel at the Maritime Operations Center immediately contacted CITRO Médiko to assess the medical situation and determine the appropriate response.
After evaluating the information provided, the physician on duty concluded that the woman's injury was sufficiently serious to require urgent evacuation to Curaçao for further medical treatment.
Following the medical recommendation, the Maritime Operations Center alerted Coast Guard personnel at Hato International Airport to prepare for a helicopter evacuation.
A Coast Guard helicopter was subsequently deployed to reach the tanker and transport the injured crew member to Curaçao.
Coast Guard personnel successfully reached the vessel, assisted the woman and safely evacuated her by helicopter.
Upon arrival at Hato, an ambulance was waiting to take over her medical care.
The injured crew member was then transported by ambulance to the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), where she was admitted for further treatment.
The Coast Guard did not disclose additional details about the circumstances surrounding the accident, the exact nature of the hand injury or the patient's medical condition following her arrival at the hospital.
The operation required coordination between the Maritime Operations Center, CITRO Médiko, Coast Guard aviation personnel and emergency medical services in Curaçao.
In its statement, the Coast Guard expressed appreciation to all agencies and emergency responders involved in the evacuation.
The organization emphasized that their professional cooperation and rapid coordination contributed to the successful transfer of the injured crew member from the tanker to medical care on the island.
The incident highlights the role of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard in responding to medical emergencies at sea, including situations involving commercial vessels operating in waters surrounding Curaçao and Bonaire.