11 March 2014
Ukrainian fisherman airlifted to hospital
A 41-year-old Ukrainian fisherman with acute appendicitis has been airlifted to Nelson Hospital after falling ill aboard
the fishing boat FV Irvinga, 25 nautical miles (46km) north of Farewell Spit today.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) was alerted at around 11.30am, after a doctor aboard the vessel
decided urgent medical treatment was required, and the Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter was directed to the ship’s
location.
Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC) Mike Roberts said what could have been a life-threatening incident was
quickly resolved.
“Fortunately sea conditions were favourable making the operation to winch the patient aboard the helicopter relatively
straightforward,” Mr Roberts said.
“The whole operation went without a hitch and the man was in Nelson Hospital within an hour-and-a-half of the initial
call.”
The New Zealand-flagged FV Irvinga is a 104m factory stern trawler owned and operated by Independent Fisheries of Christchurch.
ENDS