Coast Guard Reaches Far Offshore to Conduct Rescue

A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a 50-year-old woman this afternoon who was reportedly suffering acute abdominal pains while aboard a fishing vessel about 60 miles east of Ocean City, Md. The Coast Guard was contacted by the master of the Ink Mist, a 48-foot sportfishing vessel, and was notified that one of the three people aboard, Bernedette Walser of Villas, N.J., was suffering from the ailment. The Coast Guard directed the launch of a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Ocean City and an HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City. Once on scene, the rescue helicopter crew lowered their aviation survival technician, or rescue swimmer, to the deck of the Ink Mist. Once on the vessel, the rescue swimmer assessed Walser's condition and secured her to a rescue stretcher before she was hoisted into the helicopter. She was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md. This rescue was the first for Petty Officer 3rd Class Rob Simpson, the rescue swimmer. Simpson, from Chesapeake, Va., reported to Air Station Atlantic City in December.