Indonesia rescues ill Russian captain from tanker in Sunda Strait
Banten Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Duty and Operations officer Rizky Dwianto said the evacuation began after an emergency report from the tanker’s crew was received at 3:18 p.m. local time.
“The victim required immediate medical treatment. We immediately deployed rescue vessel KN SAR Tetuka to a rendezvous point at coordinates 05°52.800’S and 105°56.700’E,” Dwianto said.
The rescue vessel arrived at the location, about 14.65 nautical miles from the coast, at 9:18 p.m. local time.
Rescuers then maneuvered KN SAR Tetuka alongside the tanker, named Elisabeth, to transfer the captain safely to the rescue ship.
At around 9:36 p.m., the 41-year-old captain, identified as Shushkin, was successfully evacuated.
He was then transported to Bandar Bakau Jaya pier in Cilegon before being rushed to Bethsaida Hospital for intensive medical treatment, Dwianto said.
The evacuation operation involved personnel from several agencies working together to ensure the captain could be safely brought ashore.
Participants included officers from the Banten search and rescue office, the National Police’s water and air unit, Banten regional police, the health quarantine authority and Cilegon immigration office.
Indonesia’s Sea and Coast Guard unit (KPLP) also took part in the operation, providing additional maritime support during the nighttime rescue mission.
Authorities coordinated the evacuation carefully to minimize risks while transferring the patient between vessels in open waters.
Although cloudy conditions were reported in the area during the operation, Dwianto said the weather did not significantly hamper the effort.
“All stages of the rescue were carried out smoothly without major obstacles,” he said.
The tanker Elisabeth was sailing in waters near Tempurung Island, located off the industrial port city of Cilegon in Banten Province, west of Jakarta.
Details about the captain’s illness were not immediately disclosed by authorities. Medical staff at Bethsaida Hospital are currently monitoring the condition of the Russian national, Dwianto said. Officials did not say how long the captain had been ill before the crew requested emergency assistance.
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Translator: Desi PS, Rahmad Nasution