US Coast Guard conducts long-range medevac for stroke victim
A US Coast Guard team rescued a man from a commercial fishing vessel who was situated around 100 miles north of St Paul, Alaska.
A US Coast Guard team rescued a man from a commercial fishing vessel who was situated around 100 miles north of St Paul, Alaska.
The mission began when the Coast Guard 17th District received a call out for a crew member who had suffered a stroke. The command centre then sent a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter already in Cold Bay to St Paul. A HC-130 Hercules aircrew and a secondary MH-60 Jayhawk were then sent to join them.
At St Paul, the Jayhawk was able to refuel and set off towards the fishing vessel. US Coast Guard Cutter Healy was near the recue zone, so the crew refuelled again onboard and then set off to the fishing vessel, named Blue Attu. However, bad weather forced the Jayhawk to turn around. The standby crew was then able to complete the hoist later that evening, with the Hercules aircrew providing safety and communications cover as they completed the hoist mission.
The man was then brought safely to St Pauls where awaiting Guardian emergency flight services gave him further care.
“Long-range medevacs in the Bering Sea can be logistically challenging,” said Lt. Megan Peters, Air Station Kodiak Operations Duty Officer on Sunday. “Four aircrews and three air platforms were required to complete this mission. With careful planning, teamwork and patience, we got it done.”