Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH – The Saudi Border Guard personnel evacuated a 24-year-old sick Ukrainian female sailor from her yacht ‘SERENITY’ sailing in the Red Sea under the Greek flag.

The Border Guard used Al-Aflaj vessel in the evacuation operation that took place off Jazan Port, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Saturday.

The woman was suffering severe pain on the right side of her abdomen.

Border Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Misfer Ghannam Al-Quraini said that in accordance with the commitments of Saudi Arabia to International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) 1979, and in continuation of the humanitarian tasks being provided by the Border Guard in search and rescue operations, Jeddah Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (JMRCC) received an email from the captain of the yacht ‘SERENITY’ seeking evacuation of the sick sailor.

He added that the yacht was found at 76 nautical miles, west of Farasan Island, off the coast of Jazan Port. A meeting point was fixed for the Border Guard vessel Al-Aflaj and the patient was evacuated to Prince Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz Maritime Base in Jazan.

JMRCC coordinated with the concerned authorities and the shipping agent to finalize the formal procedures and the patient was transferred to Abu Arish General Hospital in Jazan by an ambulance of the Saudi Red Crescent for tests, examinations and was provided with the necessary medical care, while the yacht continued sailing to its destination, the Port of Salalah in Oman.