Coast Guard Conducts Medevac of Fisher off Kauai

The Coast Guard successfully medevaced a 37-year-old Filipino crewmember off a tuna longliner 80-miles north of Kauai, Sunday.

"Our trained crews and hoist-capable aircraft are vital to ensuring mariners reach a higher level of medical care quickly," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ashley Gray, a communication unit controller with Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. "Our aircrews worked effectively with the fishermen to conduct the hoist, and delivered their crewmember in stable condition to awaiting emergency medical services."

An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew hoisted the man from the vessel and transported him safely to the Lihue Airport where EMS was waiting.

At 7:15 a.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received notification from the owner of the 159-foot Vanuatu-flagged fishing vessel, Tunago No. 51, reporting the crewmember was ill for several days, unable to keep down food or water, and was not improving. A duty flight surgeon was consulted, determined the crewmember needed a higher level of medical care, and recommended a medevac.

The Dolphin crew was diverted from training to conduct the medevac, and an HC-130 Hercules aircrew flew cover to provide communications.

The weather at the time of the case was reportedly winds of 10 to 20 mph and seas of 8 to 12 feet.