A 73-year-old American passenger was transferred to Mossel Bay (South Africa) Friday night, December 28, after suffering suspected stroke while onboard Seven Seas Explorer.
According to Andre Fraser, National Sea Rescue Institute commander at Mossel Bay, his crew had been alerted at 8 pm on Friday about the condition of the man by Western Cape emergency medical service.
Fraser added they began preparations to launch sea rescue craft. By Grace ambulance services dispatched paramedics in order to join the operation. Earlier Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre had been alerted and EMS duty doctor had contacted the vessel in communications assisted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services. Seven Seas Explorer was at that stage for approximately two hours from Mossel Bay, with Cape Town being last, and Port Elizabeth being next port of call.
On arrival on the accident's scene, 5.5 nm east of Mossel Bay, in 30- to 40-knot north-easterly winds and a 3- to 4-meter sea swell, 2 NSRI rescue swimmers and a paramedic were transferred onto the cruise ship.
The patient, who was in stable condition, was secured on a stretcher, transferred on a sea rescue craft and then brought to shore in the care of paramedics and transported to the hospital accompanied by his wife.
For other Seven Seas Explorer accidents and incidents see at the ship's CruiseMinus page.