Vietnam rescuers, doctors brave rough seas to save German from luxury cruise ship

At around midnight the same day, the center received an emergency report from Maltese-flagged cruise ship MEIN SCHIFF 6, which was en route from Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam to Singapore.

While sailing some 215 nautical miles, nearly 400 kilometers, off the coast of Da Nang City, central Vietnam, a 66-year-old German man identified as V. suffered a serious fall and lost consciousness.

Medical staff on board diagnosed the passenger with a splenic injury, pulmonary embolism, and cardiac arrhythmia.

Given the severity of his condition, it became clear that the ship’s medical facilities were insufficient to provide the specialized intervention required.

Without prompt advanced treatment, the situation could turn fatal, doctors warned.

The ship’s captain immediately contacted the Vietnamese center to request emergency assistance.

Upon receiving the alert, the center activated its emergency response system and mobilized all available resources.

The center worked in close coordination with Da Nang’s 115 Emergency Center, local maritime authorities and border defense forces to prepare for the offshore rescue.

At 10:00 am, SAR274 departed Da Nang City carrying a team of doctors from the city’s emergency center.

An hour later, the rescue vessel reached the cruise ship at sea.

Medical personnel and rescue staff were swiftly transferred aboard to stabilize the critically ill passenger.

After receiving emergency treatment at sea, the patient was transported to Da Nang for further specialized care.