ZAMBOANGA CITY — A 35-year-old Vietnamese crew member was medically evacuated after sustaining a head injury aboard a foreign vessel during a lifeboat drill in waters off Caldera Bay, Cawit, Zamboanga City, early Monday morning, September 7.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the emergency response was launched at approximately 5:00 a.m. after the crewman of M/V Hui Feng Hai 16 was injured while participating in a drill in the Sulu Sea.
According to the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), the crewman was struck by a handle crank while heaving up a lifeboat, resulting in an injury to his forehead and continuous bleeding.
The incident immediately prompted a coordinated medical evacuation involving the CGDSWM, the BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401), its Medical Station-Southwestern Mindanao (MEDS-SWM), and the Nursing Service Sub-Unit Southwestern Mindanao (NSSU-SWM).
Coast Guard personnel aboard BRP Tubbataha responded to the injured crewman’s medical emergency and provided initial stabilization and assessment. The medical team attended to the forehead wound and monitored the patient’s condition before transferring him to appropriate medical authorities for further treatment.
After being stabilized and medically assessed onboard BRP Tubbataha, the injured Vietnamese national was turned over to the Bureau of Quarantine for the next stage of medical management.
He was subsequently transported to the nearest hospital with assistance from Coast Guard Station Zamboanga, according to the CGDSWM.
The incident highlights the risks faced by maritime crews even during routine onboard safety and emergency-response drills, where heavy equipment and mechanical components can cause serious injuries if accidents occur.
For the Coast Guard, the rapid deployment of its medical and maritime assets underscored the importance of maintaining operational readiness in waters around Zamboanga and the broader Southwestern Mindanao area.
The CGDSWM said the response was part of the Philippine Coast Guard’s continuing commitment to protecting and preserving lives at sea, particularly through its Intensified Community Awareness, Assistance, Response and Enforcement (iCARE) campaign.
The successful evacuation also demonstrated the coordinated role of maritime, medical and quarantine authorities in responding to emergencies involving seafarers and vessels operating in Philippine waters.
The PCG reiterated that its personnel and assets remain prepared to respond to maritime emergencies, providing assistance to those in distress regardless of nationality.
The CGDSWM emphasized the spirit of “ONE CGDSWM: Iisang Bangka Tayo,” reflecting its continuing effort to strengthen coordination among Coast Guard units and partner agencies in safeguarding lives at sea.
As the injured crewman was brought to a hospital for further medical attention, authorities continued to document the circumstances surrounding the onboard accident.