The Algerian Navy’s Coast Guard units carried out an urgent medical evacuation operation at sea this morning. A search and rescue helicopter, AS-12, from the 560th Search and Rescue Helicopter Regiment was deployed to rapidly transport a French sailor to the Zéralda hospital for necessary medical treatment, according to a statement from the Ministry of National Defence.
The statement detailed that the National Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received a distress call earlier today, Friday, November 21, 2025, at 07:10 AM. The call originated from a sailor aboard a French-flagged sailing vessel named “SY-FRILEUSE,” located 57 nautical miles north of Ain Benian, Algiers. The vessel was en route from Sardinia to the Strait of Gibraltar.
The sailor in distress was identified as Nicolas Charpy, a 60-year-old French national, who was suffering from a medical emergency.
“This operation falls within the framework of the humanitarian missions of the Coast Guard units under the command of the Naval Forces,” the statement emphasized. “It reflects the efforts made and the extent of their commitment to intervene to save human lives at sea, under all circumstances.”
The swift action by the Algerian Navy highlights its dedication to maritime safety and its commitment to providing assistance to those in need, regardless of nationality, within its area of responsibility. The successful evacuation ensured that the French sailor received timely medical attention.
