USS Emory S Land (AS 39) conducted an emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) for a crewmember Aug. 7.
At approximately 12:00 p.m., the crewmember, who had suffered a heart attack, was lowered by stretcher into a tug boat arranged by the Glenn Marine Group of Malaysia, a ship’s husbandry group who is a sub contractor of On Call International, the medical support group for Military Sealift Command abroad.
Lt. Shalimar Enright , Land’s undersea medical officer, assisted the transfer of the patient and returned to the Land via Navy fast boat provided by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
“Although it was an unfortunate occurrence, this MEDEVAC served to demonstrate the strong ties between the U.S. and Malaysian navies, ” said Enright. “We worked together in a safe and effective manner, and we were able to save a shipmate’s life in the process” .
The patient was transported ashore in Malaysia where he will receive emergency medical treatment.
“We had great support from our operational chain of command in quickly coordinating this medical evacuation,” said Capt. Paul Savage , Land’s commanding officer. “The mission was a success because of the team efforts of our embassy team in Malaysia and our Navy’s good relationship with the Royal Malaysian Navy.”
Land, homeported in Diego Garcia, is underway in the South China Sea and on an extended deployment conducting coordinated tended moorings and afloat maintenance in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, August 9, 2012