Spanish Rescue Teams Airlift Two Injured Sailors from Merchant Ship in Atlantic

Rescue teams successfully evacuated two injured sailors from the merchant ship Sheng Chen Hai this weekend, proving the effectiveness of emergency protocols in the Atlantic. The operation highlighted the vital need for coordination between Spanish emergency services and international medical centers when incidents occur far out at sea.

Managed by the Tenerife control center, the mission lasted nearly 24 hours. It began when the ship, located 370 miles from El Hierro, requested help for two crew members. While their conditions were stable, their injuries made it impossible for them to move, requiring a stretcher extraction.

To carry out the rescue, authorities directed the ship to move closer to the coast, meeting at a point 150 miles from the island. The operation involved two specialized aircraft: a Sasemar 103 plane to manage communications and a Helimer 201 helicopter to perform the hoist. The helicopter made a brief stop in El Hierro to refuel before completing the mission.

The rescue was completed at 5:28 p.m. when both men were safely hoisted into the helicopter. The aircraft landed in El Hierro at 6:40 p.m., and the sailors were taken to a hospital for treatment. The mission officially concluded at 7:20 p.m. once all support aircraft returned to base.

This operation underscores the challenges of managing search and rescue in Spanish-controlled waters, where rapid response is essential. It also demonstrates how collaboration between international medical experts and maritime rescue teams is crucial to saving lives at sea, fulfilling the international duty to assist any vessel in need, regardless of its flag.