Cairo - United States aircraft carrier USS John Paul Jones (JPJ) gives medical assistance to an Indonesian crew member being treated on the Panamian cargo ship in the Persian Gulf.

"Thank God I have recovered from an appendix following an operation at the hospital at a US military camp in Kuwait," Otib Muhammad said on the phone from Cairo on Sunday.

The 37 years old from Madura is currently being given living facilities at the Indonesian embassy in Kuwait following the appendix operation on Friday.

Otik who is employed on the Panamian cargo ship Achilles said he has been ill nine days ago on board the ship in the middle of the sea north of the Persian Gulf some 52 miles from the Iraqi coast.

"Three days ago may appendix got worse. The captain eventually contacted a nearby ship asking for medical help and I was flown by helicopter to the US military camp in Arifjan, Kuwait," he said.

The military told the Indonesian embassy in Kuwait to ask JPJ for a helicopter standing by on JPJ, after a request for help from the Panamian ship.

The Indonesian embassy in Kuwait thanked the US for its quick response to help the Indonesian.

"The ambassador Ferry Adamhar has sent a diplomatic note of appreciation to the US ambassador in Kuwait," said Afrian Asri, information, social and cultural staff at the Indonesian embassy in Kuwait.

Otib said there are 10 Indonesians, including himself, being employed on the cargo ship delivering goods from and to various countries. (*)