Fisherman Hit by Parted Line Lifted to Safety

A fisherman struck and injured by a parted line was medevaced south of San Juan Island and transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, Wash. Thursday morning. He is in stable condition.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced the injured fisherman after watchstanders in Puget Sound received a radio call from the captain of the fishing vessel Mr. Wonderful at about 7:40 a.m. reporting the injury. The fisherman was wounded when a line parted, snapped back and hit him in the upper body.

 

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo was underway in the vicinity of the incident and arrived on scene at 8:12 a.m. An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter was launched to perform the medevac. A Lummi Island patrol boat provided the hoisting platform for the helicopter crew.

 

"The quick response provided by the crew of the Wahoo, Lummi Island Patrol and Air Station Port Angeles provided professional medical care to a mariner in need in a short period of time," said Jeff Gearhart, operations unit controller, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound . "Our crews are well trained in the maritime environment no matter the circumstances."

 

Weather on scene was reported to be calm seas with a water temperature of 55 degrees, air temperature of 55 degrees and 10-mile visibility.