Injured Crewman Hoisted over 170 mi off Columbia River

A Coast Guard aircrew performed a medical evacuation of an injured crew member from a 618-foot cargo vessel over 170 miles offshore from the Columbia River, Saturday.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton safely transported the 23-year-old man to the air station where he was transferred over to emergency medical personnel, who took him to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria.

Watchstanders at Sector Columbia River received the assistance request via the agent for the vessel Global Saikai after one of the crew members reportedly fell while on a ladder and broke his right arm.

The vessel is en route to Kashima, Japan, from Longview, Washington, with a load of logs.

Weather on scene reported as raining with light wind, with 13 foot seas and 9 mile visibility.