PCG rescues injured Chinese seafarer

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday dispatched a team to help a Chinese seafarer who accidentally cut off his left thumb while at sea. 

The PCG's medical evacuation of the Chinese national — an engineer of the Hongkong-flagged bulk carrier MV BBG Qinzhou — took place off the waters of Caluya, Antique, according to a statement on Friday morning.

The 35-year-old Chinese seafarer was en route to Tanjung Bara, Indonesia, on Thursday morning when he was accidentally cut by a fan blade or metal, which the PCG said resulted in "significant pain and [required] hospital treatment."

MV BBG Qinzhou was approximately 20.69 nautical miles west of Semirara Port, Caluya, Antique, at the time of the incident. 

In response to the emergency, the PCG coordinated with the vessel's captain and agent, deploying the BRP Kalanggaman (FPB-2404) to a designated rendezvous point 1.5 nautical miles off Nogas Island, Anini-y, Antique.

Four PCG medical personnel provided first aid to the Chinese seafarer before transporting him to a hospital.