How MedAire handle a superyacht medical emergency

What is a superyacht medical evacuation?

At MedAire Luxury Yachts, a medical evacuation generally refers to offboarding a patient from a yacht to a medical facility to improve their care. We may also arrange transfer to a higher level of medical facility, if required. Repatriation refers exclusively to the patient returning home for care.

MedAire is not an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) like Search and Rescue (SAR), who typically provide first on-scene treatment.

Evacuations can be stressful, scary, and expensive. While most cases we assist with don’t require evacuation, we are prepared should one be necessary. MedAire clients can be confident decisions are made with the patient’s best interests and available resources in mind. Our standards ensure medical and logistical due diligence, cost effectiveness, and alignment with client-specific requirements to facilitate a smooth evacuation.

A medical emergency occurs

Step 1. Moving the patient off the boat

Upon the first call to MedAire following a medical emergency, we remotely assess the patient and direct you to equipment and specific medication pouches to improve outcomes.

If urgent shoreside care is required, we help source relevant emergency numbers, liaise with the receiving hospital, and assist with arrangements to enable the evacuation process.

In general, MedAire does not dispatch local paramedics, heli-evac, or other emergency services to attend your vessel; these services must communicate directly with the vessel.

Given our global reach, we may leverage local International SOS/MedAire Assistance Centres—for example, sending a nurse to liaise with facility staff and help ensure appropriate care.

Step 2. Establishing the need for a medical evacuation

Once the patient is at a facility and stabilised, our goal is to determine whether the risks of moving them are lower than leaving them in the current facility.

MedAire doctors assess key criteria:

• The nature of symptoms and medical condition, using validated information from multiple sources
• The natural progression of the illness or trauma
• Complication risks (worst-case scenarios)

Based on these, we judge whether local facilities are adequate to manage the condition now and in the event of serious complications. This requires a clear understanding of current capabilities and quality of care.

Step 3. Understanding medical facilities and standards of care

MedAire and our parent company, International SOS, maintain a network of approved providers and health systems verified for high standards of care.

Assessment criteria include:

• Training levels of doctors, nurses, and staff
• Available specialties and functionality (e.g., CT scanner availability and trained operators)
• Operational feedback and expectations when coordinating or during treatment
• Local medical conditions (e.g., quality of blood products, storage/testing; prevalence of counterfeit medications)

Step 4. Identifying receiving care and transport approach

If moving the patient is indicated, we source the nearest suitable facility or specialist (e.g., paediatric ICU, burn unit, general medical ward, coronary care unit).

We consider many factors, foremost the patient’s condition, as well as facility accessibility, surgical capabilities, diagnostic and treatment resources, ability to provide ongoing care, potential security concerns for UHNW individuals, and financial considerations.

Step 5. Determining the method of evacuation

Once evacuation is confirmed and a receiving facility identified, options may include ground ambulance, commercial carrier, air ambulance, or a combination.

Some clients have access to private aircraft; however, most transports use scheduled commercial airlines. A key factor is whether the patient can travel seated or requires a stretcher (most commercial flights cannot accommodate stretchers).

We also consider:

• Need for a medical escort or non-medical companion
• Special attention or equipment (e.g., oxygen, device battery types, biohazard disposal)
• Logistics:
  • Toileting
  • Seat availability
  • Contingency plans for delays or cancellations
• Medical status:
  • Contagiousness
  • Potential to disturb other passengers
  • Risk of deterioration at altitude
  • Likelihood of passing medical clearance

Step 6. When air ambulance is the best option

If considerations such as specialist equipment needs, urgency, or airline medical clearance present concerns, an air ambulance is required.

MedAire sources appropriate aircraft from approved, credentialed providers. Not all air ambulances are the same; we consider aircraft range and speed, medical configuration, seating for medical team and companions, medical staffing, and more.

In parallel, we evaluate weather, security risks that could impact air travel, and the potential for social unrest or strikes to affect flights.

Expert care, everywhere

Medical evacuations demand extensive work, knowledge, and expertise. In the unlikely event one is needed, it’s imperative that MedAire is at your side.

For MedAire clients, evacuation support is included with your membership. We also work closely with insurers through Direct Billing Agreements (DBA), enabling direct invoicing for covered expenses and a more streamlined process.

Learn more about MedAire’s comprehensive membership.