Urgent medical evacuation of Filipino sailor in distress during Vietnamese Tet Holiday

On the afternoon of January 31st, 2025 (the 3rd day of the New Year in the Vietnamese Tet Holiday), the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (the Centre) received a distress information from the vessel DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY that a Filipino crew member had suffered a severe stomach hemorrhage while traveling in the East Sea. Under the direction of the VINASARCOM, with close coordination between the Centre, the Vietnam Coast Guard, the Vietnam Border Guard, and military and civilian medical forces in Con Son Island, the sailor was promptly rescued and survived the critical condition.

At 4:45 PM on January 31st, 2025, while the vessel DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY (Hong Kong-flagged) was en route from Kaohsiung (Taiwan) to Bangkok (Thailand), at position 08-26N; 105-22E (approximately 152 nautical miles southwest of Vung Tau Cape), a crew member named ROLAND T. BOISER (52 years old, Filipino) experienced severe gastrointestinal bleeding and required oxygen support. In response. the DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY requested an emergency rescue.

The vessel DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY has a Filipino crew member in distress while traveling in the East Sea

After receiving the information, the Centre promptly provided remote medical advice and developed a plan in collaboration with the captain and the ship's agent in Vietnam. The agreed-upon plan was for the ship to return to Vung Tau in order to transfer the patient ashore for emergency treatment. However, at 11:00 PM on the same day, the vessel DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY reported that the oxygen on board was running low and would not last until reaching Vung Tau.

In this critical situation, the Centre instructed the vessel to divert to the nearest shore, Con Son Island. They also coordinated with the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, the Vietnam Border Guard of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, military and civilian medical forces on Con Son Island, and reported to VINASARCOM to develop a plan for supporting the patient upon arrival at Con Son Island.

At 2:00 AM on February 1st, 2025, the vessel DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY anchored at the rendezvous point. Under the direction of the VINASARCOM, the vessel CSB 2011 approached the distressed vessel at 2:45 AM and a doctor was sent on board to attend to the patient. Upon examination, the doctor determined that the patient was experiencing severe gastrointestinal bleeding and made the decision to transfer him to the CSB 2011 for transportation to shore.

The vessel CSB 2011 approached the vessel DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY

At 4:45 AM on February 1st, 2025, the vessel CSB 2011 arrived at the pier of Squadron 33 - Coast Guard Region 3 Command at Con Son Island. The patient was promptly received by local medical personnel. Thanks to the timely assistance of the medical team, the patient was able to temporarily survive his critical condition and is currently receiving treatment at the Con Dao District Medical Center.

The rescue team came on board the vessel DERYOUNG SUNNYSKY

Through this incident, the Centre continues to affirm its leading role in coordinating maritime search and rescue operations in complex situations at sea, especially as an international focal point in cases involving foreign sailors in Vietnam's waters./.