HMCS Charlottetown Crew Gives Medical Assistance to Injured Fisherman

HMCS Charlottetown Crew Gives Medical Assistance to Injured Fisherman

Sailors from HMCS Charlottetown provided medical assistance to a local fisherman in the Gulf of Aden May 16.

The Canadian ship routinely hails vessels as part of its tasks while operating with Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150). CTF 150’s mission is to promote maritime security in order to counter terrorist acts and related illegal activities, which terrorists use to fund or conceal their movements.

“Everything checked out and we assessed that the dhow [larger vessel commonly used for fishing and transporting goods in the region] was a legitimate fishing vessel,” said Commander Wade Carter, commanding officer of Charlottetown. “We were about to depart when the vessel hailed us requesting medical assistance with one of their crewmembers.”

Charlottetown sent members of their boarding party team, the physician assistant and an interpreter in their rigid-hulled inflatable boat to provide the proper medical assistance.

“I wish I could have done more for him,” said Warrant Officer Gino Short, physician assistant in Charlottetown.His eye was infected from what looked to be a corneal abrasion. He was already blind in his other eye, so I truly hope the antibiotic drops that I gave him will help. I also advised him to see a doctor as soon as possible, but the reality is that he probably doesn’t have access to healthcare.”

Cdr Carter added, “These type of good will approach operations are important, because they show the local mariners that we care. In return, the relationships that we build are critical to achieving mission success and CTF 150 goals, because they provide us with invaluable information that allows us to track illicit activities in the region.”

CTF 150 is one of three task forces operated by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). CMF is a 26-nation naval partnership, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 2.5 million square miles of international waters covering the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean; an area which encompasses some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

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Naval Today Staff , May 21, 2012; Image: Royal Canadian Navy