FAB rescues Ukrainian sailor off the coast of Recife
April 16th 2024
A Brazilian Air Force (FAB) used a helicopter to rescue a Ukrainian sailor this Tuesday morning (16), on a vessel that was 100 Nautical Miles (NM) east of Recife (PE). The patient had been experiencing severe abdominal pain, fever and suspected appendicitis for 3 days.
The aeromedical evacuation was coordinated by SALVAERO and the Aerospace Operations Command. The Falcão Squadron, from Natal Air Base, used one of its H-36 Caracal for the mission. According to the FAB, the unit was already in Recife when it was called to respond to the distress call from the Saudi oil tanker that was traveling from Ras Tanura, in Saudi Arabia, to the Gulf of the United States. At sunrise, the rescue helicopter took off towards the vessel.
The patient was lifted at 6:30 in the morning and promptly assisted by the Rescue Men and medical team on board the aircraft. The patient, in stable condition, was handed over to the care of the health team at Recife International Airport, and was taken by ambulance to Hospital Jayme da Fonte, in the capital of Pernambuco.
“Personally, I think that working to safeguard human life is a privilege, in which we can participate, in the wings of the FAB, through the Esquadrão Falcão. For the Brazilian population, this type of mission represents the hope of welcome at the time of the accident”, reports the helicopter pilot, Captain Aviator Alan Dickson Brito de Medeiros. “On the international stage, it projects the country as a capable nation that honors its international commitments.”
SALVAERO
The Brazilian Aeronautical Search and Rescue System (SALVAERO), whose central body is the Airspace Control Department (DECEA), is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations in its respective area of jurisdiction through data received from the Brazilian Mission Control Center (BRMCC), air traffic control bodies or upon demand from the general public. After activating this entire system, aircraft, vessels and ground groups can be used for the search and rescue mission.
Alerts from aircraft or vessels are received by the COSPAS-SARSAT system. The speed of distribution and accuracy of information is crucial for the Coordination and Rescue Centers to fulfill their mission and be able to locate and rescue survivors as quickly as possible.
In compliance with international agreements, Brazil is responsible for providing air traffic services beyond the continent, over the Atlantic Ocean, totaling 22 million km². Furthermore, throughout this area, the FAB carries out search and rescue missions to locate, rescue and rescue people in danger on land or at sea.
