I’m Li Wenjie, a deck trainee on “SHENG HANG 002” of Nanjing Shenghang Shipping Co.Ltd (hereafter referred to as Shenghang Group). I really appreciate Shenghang Group and the crew members on “SHENG HANG 002” for the all-out efforts to save me at this critical moment, giving me a second life.
Around 1:30 p.m. on August 5, 2023, I got ready for work as usual, while suddenly I felt a stomachache. I didn’t pay much attention to it at that time and went to work as always. About 18:00 p.m., my abdomen began to twist and ache. Then I felt pain all over my body and broke out in a cold sweat, and my abdomen started to swell. The Captain urgently contacted the company and reported my condition truthfully. Shenghang Group immediately set up an emergency team for this matter and reported my disease progression to the telemedicine cooperation hospital. According to telemedicine diagnosis, the preliminary diagnosis was highly suspicious of acute appendicitis. The company asked the Captain to arrange two crewmen to provide 24-hour care for me and monitored my vital signs (heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature), and also appointed staff to register for emergency treatment, thus emergency doctor implemented telemedicine via satellite network video. Under the guidance of the doctor, I received conservative treatment with the limited medicine available on board. At the same time, the company applied to the Hong Kong MRCC (Maritime Search and Rescue Center), closest to our ship, for a helicopter medical rescue for me. The ship was moving at full speed to the sea area within the range of the helicopter.
At 14:00 p.m. on August 6, the helicopter finally stopped over “SHENG HANG 002”, my crew brothers and rescuers helped me to get abroad the helicopter. At this moment, I cried my eyes out and felt that I was finally saved.
At 15:00 p.m., the helicopter landed at the parking apron on the roof of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) Hospital and I finally reached the hospital. I was immediately scheduled for diagnosis and surgery. August 9, after asking for my own opinion and with the permission of the doctor, the Hong Kong agent appointed by the company, helped me to go through the discharging formalities, escorted me safely to the airport to return to the Chinese mainland. After a few thrilling days, I finally arrived at Wuhan on August 10.
Afterwards, I learned that at that time, Shenghang Group’s leaders repeatedly stressed the arrangement of the best hospital in Hong Kong for me, and I felt grateful about it. Looking back on these days’ thrilling experiences, if it was not for the accurate and timely handling of the company, and the contributions and help of those colleagues who I didn’t know the name, I felt that basically I would not be able to struggle to survive until receiving medical care in hospital. I truly experience Shenghang Group’s “people first, life first” philosophy. Once again, I would like to thank Shenghang Group’s leaders and all the colleagues, thank you for providing such quality service to the crew. After my recovery, I will definitely take the company and the ship as my home, improve my seamanship, contribute my own strength to the company. Thanks again to my Captain and my crew brothers, I wish you all having a healthy body, a good job and a happy family every day！
Li Wenjie
August 17, 2023
