Matthew Powers News

Ailing Tug Crewmember Medaveced near Alaska

A U.S. Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew medevaced a diabetic 59-year-old male suffering from seizure like symptoms aboard the tug vessel Pacific Ocean, near Ketchikan, Alaska Tuesday evening. The Coast Guard crew rendezvoused with the 117-foot tug vessel 19 miles south of Ketchikan, safely brought the man aboard and transferred him to local emergency medical services in Ketchikan for further medical care. Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received the request for medevac from the master of the tug vessel. The duty flight surgeon was contacted and concurred with the need for the medevac. “This case illustrates the preparedness of our small boat station crewmembers,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Powers, a watchstander at Sector Juneau.