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Posted in Maritime Accidents,World Maritime News on September 10, 2012
SOCOTRA ISLAND, OMAN — A maritime accident occurred on August 20 aboard the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Belde approximately 110 miles north of Socotra Island, Oman, killing one crew member and injuring another..
Photo shows members of the visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) transit call toward the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Belde in the Gulf OF Aden (Aug. 20, 2012) in response to a medical-related distress call. Winston S. Churchill is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 150, conducting counter-terrorism and maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released)
The Guided-missile destroyer, USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), arrived on the scene to render medical assistance at approximately 1:10 p.m. local time, after receiving a distress call following the cargo accident aboard the M/V Belde.
The Maritime Executive reported:
After arriving on scene, Winston S. Churchill dispatched two rigid-hull inflatable boats, transporting the ship’s hospital corpsman, and the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team to assess the injured personnel.
It was found that one of the Belde maritime workers was killed in the accident and another crew memeber sustained injuries that required advanced medical assistance. The Winston S. Churchill conducted a medical evacuation, transporting the injured crew member by an SH-60B helicopter attached to Helicopter Squadron Light 42, Detachment 8, to an Oman medical facility for treatment.
“There are a multitude of hazards in the maritime domain. As such, we are always ready to assist,” said Cmdr. Christopher D. Stone, Churchill commanding officer. “Our sympathies go out to those affected by this tragic incident. We, as partners in the maritime commons, are always ready and willing to help and are glad that we were in the right place at the right time to lend a hand.”
“The personal and professional satisfaction of knowing that the outstanding efforts of this ship and this crew saved another mariner’s life is second to none. It is days like today that makes me proud to be a member of the United States Navy and this coalition. I am incredibly proud to be the Commanding Officer of Winston S. Churchill,” said Stone.
Winston S. Churchill is assigned to Commander, Task Force 150, as part of Combined Maritime Forces, conducting counter-terrorism and maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
Posted by maritime lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP