Chinese tugboat rescues Filipino crew

Chinese tugboat rescues Filipino crew
DIAN LI/CHINA NEWS AGENCY June 20, 2020 https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/06/20/news/national/chinese-tugboat-res...

Chinese crew of the 5th Yonggang Xiaotuo rescues a Filipino seaman from Onia, a foreign-flagged ship, after receiving a call for help. The unidentified Filipino, who was reported to have suffered a stroke, was turned over to medical staff at the Ningbo Zhoushan Port. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A Chinese tugboat rescued a Filipino crew member of a foreign-flagged ship after suffering a stroke.

According to Li Houfeng, director of the Ningbo Yonggang Tugboat Co. Ltd., the crew of the tugboat 5th Yonggang Xiaotuo was docking at Dawan Wharf, Beilun District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province when they received a dispatch call.

“The crew of a foreign cargo ship is ill and needs to be rescued immediately,” said Li and the 5th Yonggang Xiaotuo was sent to aid the stricken vessel Onia, a 20,000-ton freighter located off Xiazhimen.

The freighter was on its way to Ningbo from Australia when it radioed for help after a Filipino crew member suffered a stroke, rendering him immobile.

After receiving the dispatch call, the Chinese tugboat quickly got underway and notified the Onia to prepare for rescue and epidemic prevention.

After more than 4 hours of sailing, the tugboat arrived in the waters near the freight and connected with the crew.

Due to the high winds and waves, approaching the Onia was difficult and after careful observation, the Chinese tugboat approached from the rear.

According to Li, the stricken seaman who needs to be rescued and accompanying persons were already topside. The 5th Yonggang Xiaotuo positioned itself directly below and with the help of the accompanying personnel, the stricken crew member was successfully transferred to the deck of the 5th Yonggang Xiaotuo and put into a temporary isolation observation area to avoid contact with the crew of the tugboat.

Subsequently, the 5th Yonggang Xiaotuo returned to Ningbo Zhoushan Port Chuanshan Port Zhongzha Wharf. The tugboat’s crew handed over the patient to the medical staff who were waiting ashore.

DIAN LI/CHINA NEWS AGENCY