The Melbourne woman, who is believed to be in her 30s, was later flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women in Perth for a specialist consultation.

Esperance Port Authority acting chief executive officer Neil Pearson said Esperance Police contacted the port on Sunday morning about a medical evacuation from the bulk carrier MV Portland that was en route to Portland in Victoria from Bunbury with a cargo of alumina.

Mr Pearson said the port contacted helicopter owner and chief pilot Bob Kent who operates Esperance Helitours to assist in the transfer because of the seriousness of the situation.

“In the past the port had carried out emergency transfers of sick and injured seaman using a tug, but this was the first time that the helicopter was used,” Mr Pearson said.

Esperance Helitours owner Julie Kent said that it was the first time her husband Bob had to do such a rescue.

“It was good because Bob could use his commercial training,” she said.

Mr Kent was accompanied by the port’s Deputy Harbour Master Julian Thomas during the transfer.

Mr Kent successfully landed the helicopter on the deck of the vessel in strong winds and a heavy swell.

“While this type of operation was a first for him, he is trained for it and everything went very smoothly,” Mr Pearson said.

The vessel had diverted from its course about one day into the Great Australian Bight and backtracked to Esperance, the nearest location where medical facilities were available, to get assistance.

MV Portland entered the port waters about 1pm, and the helicopter landed on the deck of the vessel south of Cull Island at about 1.30pm.

The Captain of the MV Portland assisted in positioning the vessel at the time of the landing.

Esperance Police Acting Sergeant Tracy O’Brien said that police were notified of the event on Saturday afternoon.

“They were going to use a tug to meet the vessel but they used a helicopter.

“Our role was to coordinate the event,” she said.

MV Portland is owned and operated by Alcoa of Australia.