What’s Happening?
CapRescue was tasked to Gladstone Harbour early this afternoon after a patient became unwell on board the vessel Kota Karim.
The vessel was at anchor in Gladstone Harbour when an Indonesian national required immediate medical assistance and air evacuation.
When CapRescue arrived, the crew found there were no available landing areas on the vessel. A winch rescue was then carried out so medical help could reach the patient safely.
A Queensland Ambulance Paramedic and Rescue Crew Officer were winched onto Kota Karim, where they provided medical assistance before the patient was prepared for extraction.
The patient was then winched from the vessel and flown to Gladstone in a stable condition for further treatment and observation.
Why It Matters?
Medical emergencies on vessels can be difficult to manage, even when a vessel is at anchor.
In this case, the patient needed urgent medical support, but the rescue helicopter could not land on board. The winch operation allowed the crew to reach the vessel, provide care and move the patient to land-based treatment.
The task shows how CapRescue can respond when access is limited and a patient needs quick medical evacuation.
By The Numbers
- CapRescue left base at 1.00 pm on 09 June 2026, after being tasked to Gladstone Harbour.
- The patient was a 33-year-old Indonesian national who became unwell on board Kota Karim.
- A Queensland Ambulance Paramedic and Rescue Crew Officer were winched onto the vessel before the patient was extracted.
Local Impact
The task highlights the importance of aeromedical support around the harbour.
Vessels at anchor can still be hard to access during a medical emergency, especially when there is no safe place to land. CapRescue’s response meant the patient could receive care on board before being safely flown to Gladstone.
The outcome also shows the value of having trained rescue crews available for complex transfers near busy harbour areas.
Zoom In
The main challenge was access. Kota Karim had no available landing area, which meant the crew had to use the winch to reach the patient.
Once on board, the Queensland Ambulance Paramedic and Rescue Crew Officer gave medical assistance and helped prepare the patient for the transfer. The patient was then lifted from the vessel and flown to Gladstone in a stable condition.
Zoom Out
Harbour rescues often require several skills at once, including medical care, aircraft coordination and safe extraction from tight spaces.
This task brought those parts together in one response. It also showed how quickly a medical issue on board a vessel can require specialist rescue support.
What To Look For Next?
The patient was taken to Gladstone for further treatment and observation after arriving in a stable condition.
Further updates may depend on the patient’s recovery and any additional information released by emergency services.
