Estonian police helicopter evacuates person from tanker near Vaindloo Island
Two crew members fell ill after painting work inside a ballast tank; one died and the other was airlifted to a hospital. The helicopter crew also spotted a Russian naval vessel.
An Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) helicopter carried out an emergency medical evacuation on Monday from a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker anchored in international waters within Estonia's exclusive economic zone near Vaindloo Island.
The Air and Maritime Rescue Coordination Center received a report at 10:52 a.m. that two crew members had fallen ill after painting work inside the vessel's ballast tank. One lost consciousness, while the other remained responsive but felt unwell.
PPA duty officer Anastassia Dats said that within half an hour, the helicopter crew, accompanied by medical personnel, was en route. A rescue specialist lowered onto the vessel confirmed the death of a 26-year-old Indian citizen. The other crew member, a 25-year-old Indian national, was conscious and was evacuated to a hospital in Tallinn.
Dats noted that the PPA helicopter crew carries out up to 30 urgent medical evacuations per year. During this flight, the crew observed a Russian naval vessel operating near the tanker. They established radio contact, and after exchanging information, the Russian vessel departed.
