European Union Naval Force Somalia
Press release
Sunday, September 01, 2013
Somalia Operation Atalanta warship ESPS Meteoro recently evacuated a
member of the ships crew who had a medical issue. The ship had been
conducting counter piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden off the coast
of Somalia.
The ship broke from counter-piracy operations and closed the coast of
Djibouti at maximum speed. When within helicopter range of the Hospital
in Djibouti the ship launched its SH60B helicopter with the patient and
medical personnel onboard. During the transit the patient was carefully
monitored and treated by the embarked medical officer and medical
personnel.
The patient was treated at the hospital in Djibouti and is making a
recovery. The patient, once fit to make the journey, will be transferred
back to Spain.
Medical transfers are a routine operation carried out by units of EU
Naval Force. In the past EU Naval Force units have also assisted
merchant ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean who have
required medical attention.
In general, the ships deployed with Operation Atalanta also have
extensive medical facilities onboard, however if a member of the ships
company of any unit requires medical assistance beyond that treatable
onboard they will be transferred to the nearest better equipped unit or
the nearest hospital within the region. The hospitals suitable for such
transfers are regularly checked to ensure they meet medical standards.
The safety of crews of ships is of the highest priority for the
Commanding Officers of units and operations.
Following the evacuation ESPS Meteoro returned to her counter-piracy duties.
ESPS Meteoro joined EU Naval Force in August 2013 and will remain in the operation for 4 months.