German frigate FGS Niedersachsen, which is currently deployed with the EU Naval Force, recently carried out two friendly approaches on dhows.
To help strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the EU Naval Force and local seafarers, as well as obtain first hand information about possible piracy incidents in the area, EU Naval Force ships will sometimes make ‘friendly approaches’ to fishing and cargo dhows and speak to the masters and crew.
During one of the friendly approaches an Iranian dhow asked if FGS Niedersachsen could provide medical assistance. The doctor of the German frigate treated four persons; one of them had a cut on the head, one person had an arm injury and two crew members had an inflammation of the kidney.
This is not the first time that FGS Niedersachsen has provided medical assistance at sea. Last month the German frigate received an emergency call from the Italian merchant vessel MV Jolly Perla. FGS Niedersachsen provided immediate help to a crew member with acute heart problems. The German warship is fully equipped for such emergencies. In addition to the ship’s doctor, the Niedersachsen has a surgeon, an anaesthesiologist, a dentist and extra paramedics embarked for the deployment.
[mappress] Press Release, October 30, 2013; Image: EU NAVFOR