Stretcher Case from Seattle to Surabaya

MRI carries out complex medical repatriation from Seattle to Surabaya in Indonesia. A seafarer suffered a stroke leaving him in a “locked in” condition and needed to be repatriated to a hospital in Surabaya be closer to his family support. This was achieved on a stretcher from Seattle to Jakarta, with two of our very experienced in flight medical escorts, and then by air ambulance on to Surabaya. There are very few airlines flying to or from the USA who will provide a stretcher in a wide bodied jet but Taiwanese airline EVA Air rose to the occasion.

The patient’s needs were complicated, including supplementary oxygen and regular airway clearance by suction but after considerable planning and liaison with the airline the long journey of over 21 hours, including a transfer from one aircraft to another in Taipei, was achieved smoothly and without incident. A further transfer by ground ambulance to a different airfield for the air ambulance was successful in Jakarta and the patient was safely delivered to hospital and his welcoming family in Surabaya, the whole trip taking over a day to undertake.

Cost Saving. If this task had been carried out by air ambulance all the way, which was the only other alternative, it would have cost the client $130,000 more than the eventual bill.

“Dear MRI,
Just a quick message to thank you very much for your prompt and professional service in this matter!
We just had word from our principals that their crew manager had met up with the patient and that he has been accepted at the hospital in Murmansk for further treatment, so all is as it should.
Thanks again and wishing you a very pleasant weekend!”

“Thank you for your email and for taking such good care of me, I really appreciate it.”

“Dear MRI
I cannot explain how you make me happy now
Thank you, thank you !!!
Please keep me informed !!!
Thanks to you again for what you are doing for me, really !!! “

“Hi Katie,
Thanks for the update…..
Thanks so much for all your help throughout the past year and a few months.
I really appreciate all the help you at MRI have given me.
Best wishes”

“Dear MRI, Just a quick message to thank you very much for your prompt and professional service in this matter! We just had word from our principals that their crew manager had met up with the patient and that he has been accepted at the hospital in Murmansk for further treatment, so all is as it should. Thanks again and wishing you a very pleasant weekend!”

“You may not be the cheapest every time, but we recommend your services to our members because we know that the job will always be done efficiently, professionally, without fuss and to budget…”
Leading P & I Association

“You seem to understand our business and how the shipping world works”
Global Tanker Operator

“On this occasion you provided by far the best value quote, and please carry on with the task in your usual efficient manner”
London based Maritime Insurer

“The seafarer’s family were most grateful for the considerate and caring manner of your escort”
Manning Agent in the Philippines

“Thank you for carrying out this difficult escorted repatriation of our 3rd Engineer Mr Petrovskiy from Chile to Russia….you even found a Russian speaking paramedic which was a great comfort”
German Ship Management Company