Panaji: The Indian Navy successfully carried out a crucial Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) operation involving the MV Heilan Star, in the early hours, today.
MV Helian Star, a bulk carrier registered under the Panama flag, was located approximately 230 nautical miles west of Goa when on the night of March 20-21, 2025, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Indian Coast Guard in Mumbai notified the Navy about four crew members aboard the MV Heilan Star who had sustained severe burn injuries and were in urgent need of advanced medical care.
The Navy said that in a swift and decisive response, it redirected two vessels, INS Vikrant and Deepak, from their ongoing missions to provide the necessary assistance.
At dawn today, a Seaking helicopter from INS Vikrant executed a challenging winching operation to evacuate three injured crew members—two from China and one from Indonesia. However, the fourth crew member had already succumbed to their injuries.
The rescued individuals were promptly transported to INS Hansa in Goa and then transferred to a civilian hospital for further treatment.
The Defence Ministry underscored that this operation exemplifies the unwavering commitment of both the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard to life-saving missions and their rapid response to humanitarian needs, even in difficult circumstances that extend beyond national maritime boundaries.
– global bihari bureau
