Navy renders assistance to bring ashore ill fisherman for treatment

A fisherman who suddenly took ill at sea, was brought ashore with the assistance of the Navy on 14^th January 2020.

The Sri Lanka Navy that conducts search and rescue operations in an event of any distressed situation affecting naval and fishing community who use the ocean around Sri Lanka, carried out a similar operation in southern seas today. Based on information given by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Navy promptly sent off an Fast Attack Craft attached to the Southern Naval Command to retrieve a fisherman suffering from heart disease, from a multiday fishing trawler “Sithim Putha 01” that had left Hambantota fisheries harbour for fishing.

Accordingly, the patient was transferred to the Fast Attack Craft in the sea area of Ambalantota and he was brought ashore while administering first aid treatment. The patient is a 36 year old resident of Kosgoda and he was subsequently rushed to the District Hospital in Hambantota for further treatment by a Navy ambulance.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy is well aware of the international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and often responds to unfortunate incidents faced by naval and fishing community out at sea.