Coast Guard Rescues Man from Freight Ship

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rescued a 54-year-old man, who was suffering from medical issues while aboard a 655-foot freight ship approximately 150 miles southwest of Tampa, Wednesday.

At approximately 9:24 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., received notification from the ships agent that the master aboard a freight ship suffered a seizure while transiting to Brazil.

Watchstanders launched an aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater.

When the helicopter arrived on scene, the aircrew lowered their rescue swimmer, hoisted the man and transported him to Tampa General Hospital for further care.

"The mission was well-executed," said Petty Officer 1st Emily Shea, search and rescue coordinator at the sector. "It was a great example of a joint effort from multiple parties to effectively ensure the master of the vessel was able to get safely to emergency care." 

uscgnews.com