Rescue aircrews from Kodiak and Sitka airlifted an injured crewman aboard a bulk carrier about 200 miles southwest of Sitka Monday afternoon. Jin Bao Lin, 47, a Chinese citizen, suffered from multiple stab wounds while working aboard the bulk carrier Princess Aliel.
The master of the vessel contacted the Coast Guard Command Center in Juneau at about 12:45 p.m. requesting medical assistance for the injured crewman. Apparently, Jin suffered four stab wounds during a fight with another crewmember. A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted and recommended the airlift.
A Jayhawk helicopter and crew were diverted from a training mission to assist Jin. Because of the great distance off shore, a C-130 airplane and crew from Kodiak was launched to provide communications assistance to the helicopter crew and any other assistance if needed.
The helicopter crew rendezvoused with the Princess Aliel about 180 miles southwest of Sitka at 4:25 p.m. The
rescue swimmer was hoisted to the carrier to assess Jin’s condition and prepare him for the hoist. The rescue swimmer and flight surgeon aboard the helicopter monitored Jin’s vital signs during the return flight to Sitka. Jin was in stable condition when he was transferred to an awaiting ambulance at 6:45 p.m. and further transported to Sitka Community Hospital.
The C-130 crew escorted the helicopter until it was closer to land, then returned to Kodiak.
The Princess Aliel is a 550-ft. bulk carrier en route Tokyo from Vancouver, Wash.