The Barbados Defence Force in its responsibility for the security and protection of life at sea, responded to a medical distress request approximately 5.8 nautical miles (nm) off of Barbados.
The Barbados Coast Guard (BCG), Off-Shore Patrol Vessel (OPV) HMBS LEONARD C. BANFIELD, (LCB) conducted a medical-evacuation (MEDEVAC) of a 41-year-old male onboard an oil tanker, the EAGLE
SAN JUAN.
The patient was assessed by the BCGs medical team and the Port Health authorities before being transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for further observations.
Captain of HMBS LCB, Lieutenant Coast Guard (Lt (CG) Shawn Hazelwood, explained that due to the size of the oil tanker, it could not berth in the Bridgetown Port.
He confirmed that all crew members and medical teams adhered to the COVID-19 protocols.
Lt (CG) Hazelwood explained that this type of operation is one many multidisciplinary elements that the BDF trains for and executes.
