The Portuguese Navy coordinated the emergency rescue of a cruise ship crew member on February 4, after the vessel was sailing around 180 nautical miles (approximately 290 kilometers) southwest of Madeira.

Authorities said the alert was received at around 7 p.m., reporting that a crew member was suffering from severe abdominal pain and required urgent medical assistance. After assessing the situation, the Maritime Emergency Patient Guidance Center decided that a medical evacuation was necessary.

A helicopter from the Portuguese Air Force was dispatched to carry out the rescue, with a Medical Rapid Intervention Team (EMIR) from Madeira’s Regional Civil Protection Service on board.

The crew member was successfully airlifted from the ship and flown to Madeira Airport, where they were handed over to the Santa Cruz Fire Brigade and transported to a hospital for further treatment.

Authorities did not release the name of the cruise ship or the nationality of the crew member.

We wish the crew member a speedy recovery.