A 46-year-old man, struck by a serious illness on board a merchant ship, was rescued and taken urgently to the Sant'Antonio Abate Hospital in Trapani.

An HH-139B helicopter from the 82nd SAR Centre (Search and RescueThe 118 of Trapani carried out a mission yesterday to rescue a 46-year-old patient in mortal danger. The man, aboard a merchant ship about 100 km off the Trapani coast, had suffered a serious illness and required urgent medical attention.

The alarm was raised around 5:30 PM, when the 12th Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) of Palermo, responsible for coordinating sea rescues in its area of responsibility, requested the immediate intervention of an aircraft. The crew of the 82nd SAR Centre of Trapani took off at approximately 6:15 PM, quickly reaching the area.

Upon arrival, the SAR crew stabilised the patient and recovered them by winch. The recovery operation concluded at 18:35.

Subsequently, the helicopter headed towards the Sant'Antonio Abate Hospital in Trapani, where the patient was disembarked at 7:00 PM and handed over to the care of doctors.

The rescue carried out by the 82nd SAR Centre is part of the daily activities of the Air Force, which guarantees safety and the safeguarding of human life at sea. The efficiency and readiness of these crews confirm the importance of the Air Force's role in protecting the community, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even in adverse weather conditions.