The aircraft, which took off from the Malta International Airport at 01.45, reached the Panamanian freighter "Gas United" after about 50 minutes, sailing at around 80 nautical miles southwest of Malta.
The seafarer, in serious condition for a suspected food poisoning, after having been stabilized by the aerodrome on a special stretcher, was recovered on board the helicopter, in a stationary flight on the deck of the ship, by means of a winch.
The aircraft then quickly returned to Malta, landing at the apron of the Saint Luke hospital in Gwardamanga, where the patient was entrusted to local health professionals for the necessary treatment.
At the end of the landing operations, the helicopter returned to the square of the Air Wing of the Maltese Armed Forces, where it landed around 04.15 hours, successfully concluding the mission.
The SAR Section, equipped with HH212 helicopters, is the only operational division of the Italian Military Mission in Malta, and provides both the training of the navigating personnel and the Research and Rescue Service (SAR). The flight activity is carried out with mixed Italian-Maltese crews, ensuring the SAR H 24 service, even in adverse weather conditions.
Source: SMD
