Injured Crewman Airlifted from Bulker off Florida

A crewman injured from a fall on board a Cyprus-fagged bulk carrier was medevaced in the Gulf of Mexico, 13 miles west of Fort de Soto, Fla., Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard said its watchstanders in Sector St. Petersburg received a VHF marine radio call on channel 16 at approximately 4:30 p.m. from the 600-foot vessel Mottler stating the crew member had fallen and was in need of medical care.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew responded to the call, lifted the injured crew member and transported him to Tampa General Hospital.

Mottler is currently at anchor off St. Petersburg, Fla., according to MarineTraffic.

The U.S. Coast Guard has continued to perform lifesaving missions despite safety risks posed by the coronavirus outbreak.

"In these unprecedented and uncertain times the Coast Guard is still ready to respond to those in need," said Lt. Bradley Davis, the pilot who conducted the hoist.