USCG Medevacs Mariner near Alaska

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced an ailing mariner from a vessel in the Bering Sea near Cold Bay today.

The helicopter crew safely transported the man to emergency medical services in Cold Bay for a commercial flight to Anchorage.

Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received the medevac request from the crew of the 158-foot fishing vessel Arica and immediately directed the launch of the helicopter and aircrew from forward operating location Cold Bay.

The aircrew rendezvoused with the fishing vessel and safely hoisted the mariner, who was reportedly suffering from abdominal pain.

“Our forward operating locations allow us to minimize response times during particular fishing seasons throughout Alaska,” said Lt. Sarah Morin, a command duty officer with the 17th District command center. “During at-sea emergencies, narrowing the gap between the fishing fleet and our response assets is critical.”

Weather on scene was reported as 8- to 10-foot seas with 35 mph winds and visibility at 0.5 to 0.75 miles.

uscgnews.com