Successfully rescuing a Crew Member in Respiratory Distress

On February 23, 2024, at 11:39 AM, a crew member named Lê Ngọc Khôn began experiencing severe respiratory distress while on the fishing vessel QNg 92607 TS, under the command of Captain Nguyễn Văn Vinh. This distress occurred in the waters of the Paracel Islands at the coordinates 15-43N; 111-16E, approximately 6 nautical miles south of Tri Tôn Island. Khôn exhibited alarming symptoms, including difficulty breathing and frothing at the mouth. After that, Captain Vinh contacted the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center for immediate medical assistance.

In response to the distress call, the Center directed QNg 92607 TS to halt its operations and alter its course toward the mainland. They also coordinated medical advice with the Da Nang Emergency Center, which diagnosed Khôn with level 3 respiratory failure, posing a significant risk to his life.

Due to victim's condition, the VINASARCOM, along with VINAMARINE, mobilized the rescue vessel SAR 274 at 1:06 PM the same day. A medical team, including doctors and nurses, was dispatched along with essential equipment to assist in the rescue operation.

Navigating at maximum speed, the rescue team approached vessel QNg 92607 TS at 9:45 PM that evening. Medical personnel and rescue staff immediately boarded the fishing vessel to provide on-site emergency care. At that time, Khôn was in critical condition, showing severe respiratory distress and cyanosis. He received initial stabilization before being transferred to SAR 274 for specialized medical treatment and urgent transport back to shore. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the medical team and rescue personnel, Khôn was initially stabilized, though he remained in a precarious state with ongoing breathing difficulties.

At 7:00 AM on February 24, 2024, SAR 274 safely returned Khôn to Da Nang city, where he was handed over to the relevant authorities. Da Nang Emergency Center 115 took custody of him and transported him to the hospital for further treatment.

At the same time, another vessel, SAR 412, was involved in a rescue operation for crew members of the QNg 11126 TS, which had collided with the cargo ship Trung Thắng 568 on February 23, resulting in one fatality and two missing persons. Currently, SAR 412 is leading the on-scene command and coordinating resources to urgently search for the two missing crew members./.