Maritime Rescue: China's Sansha evacuates and rescues injured Filipino seafarer

Maritime Rescue: China's Sansha evacuates and rescues injured Filipino seafarer
16-Jul-2025 https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-07-16/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDg1NTM3/index.html

The Sansha Maritime Search and Rescue Sub-Center received an alert from the Hainan Provincial Maritime Search and Rescue Center over the weekend. A Filipino crew member on a Hong Kong-registered bulk carrier had fallen and sustained serious injuries, requiring urgent medical evacuation. The sub-center promptly activated its emergency response plan and coordinated local departments to launch the rescue. Lin Wo reports.

The bulk carrier, registered in Hong Kong, departed from Santos Port, Brazil, on June 5 carrying soybeans bound for Zhoushan, in China's Zhejiang Province. The injured crew member, a Filipino motorman, had previously sustained a head injury after fainting from heatstroke days earlier. On Saturday evening, he collapsed again, showing symptoms including ear and nose bleeding, loss of speech, and impaired consciousness.

ZHANG LEI, Duty Officer, Sansha Maritime Search and Rescue Sub-Center "We coordinated with the Sansha People's Hospital for remote diagnosis, which indicated a critical condition requiring immediate hospitalisation. We liaised with foreign affairs departments and military units to arrange temporary island transit for the foreign national and reminded the ship management company to expedite entry procedures."

After verifying the emergency, the sub-center directed the vessel to alter course toward Yongxing Island while coordinating standby rescue teams from the Sansha Emergency Management and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau, and local military units.

On Sunday morning, a helicopter carrying medical personnel and equipment departed Yongxing Island for the ship's location.

FANG QI, Captain, Sansha Emergency Rescue Helicopter "After a 50-minute flight, we located the injured seafarer seated on deck. Following a low-altitude survey, we landed swiftly and completed the patient's transfer within 10 minutes."

FENG XIAODAN, Doctor, Sansha People's Hospital "Upon receiving the patient, we monitored his temperature and vital signs—all stable. Oxygen support was administered, and he remains in stable condition."

After refuelling on Yongxing Island, the helicopter proceeded to Sanya, where the injured crew member was successfully transferred to Sanya People's Hospital for further treatment. He is currently in good health.

RYAN L SUSVILLA, Filipino Crew Member "First, I would like to thank you to Chinese rescuers and also the people who helped me to aboard the helicopter, and to put the machine apparatus, and to support to helping me, to give another chance to give me a life. The treatment for me - smooth, very fast. Caring, the rescue team."

As China's southernmost administrative hub, Sansha has consistently enhanced its rescue capabilities and humanitarian response through a "multi-dimensional sea-land-air rescue network. This latest operation marked the first rescue of a foreign national since deploying emergency helicopters.

Sansha's integrated transport and rescue network has ensured that the lifeline of the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" remains open. By unifying response mechanisms, mobilising medical resources, and leveraging innovative technology, Sansha has evolved its rescue operations from "single-point response" to "region-wide coordination," solidifying its role as a humanitarian pivot in the South China Sea.

LIU DONG, Staff Member, Sansha Emergency Management and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau "Guided by our people-centred, life-first principle, we spare no effort in rescues regardless of cost. When international emergencies arise, we deploy immediately on humanitarian grounds."

The rescue operation demonstrates the Sansha rescue team's concept of "life-first," showcasing China's responsibility and commitment as a major country. Lin Wo, Sansha Satellite TV in Hainan for CGTN.