The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), successfully executed a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operation involving a crew member aboard a supertanker navigating off the coast of Ghana on 5 June 2025.
The National Search and Rescue (SAR) Centre, hosted by the GMA, received the MEDEVAC request at 1713 hours on 4 June 2025. The distressed vessel, a heavily laden supertanker en route to Spain, was located over 100 nautical miles off the coast of Ghana.
In line with international SAR protocols, GMA immediately activated an emergency response plan with the support of GPHA, while the Ghana Navy was placed on standby in the event their intervention was needed along the line. Given the vessel’s distance from shore, continuous communication was maintained, and the rescue team guided the vessel toward a pre-agreed rendezvous point nearer the coast.
A GPHA rescue vessel intercepted the tanker at the designated location and successfully evacuated the affected crew member, ensuring the crew member received the necessary medical attention.
This marks the second joint MEDEVAC operation by GMA and GPHA within months. Our previous collaboration occurred in late November following distress calls from the Italian cruise liner Costa Smeralda.
The vessel, en route from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, to Walvis Bay, Namibia, required the urgent evacuation of two critically ill passengers. Upon notification of the Harbour Master by GMA, established rescue protocols were swiftly implemented. The successful evacuation of the two passengers, one aged 82, drew applause from onboard observers before they were transported to the Bank Hospital in Accra for medical care.
These operations underscore Ghana’s commitment to fulfilling its international maritime obligations to respond to distress and SAR calls at sea as well as promote the welfare of seafarers as required under the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
Despite challenges with national SAR capacity, both GMA and GPHA are satisfied with the successful outcome of the missions and reaffirm our dedication to ensuring maritime safety within Ghana’s territorial waters.
The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, commended the gallant staff and management of GMA and GPHA for their swift professional responses to the situations, saying it reinforced the government’s commitment to enhancing Ghana’s SAR capabilities through collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies.
