Ailing Mariner Medevaced near Alaska

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) medevaced an ailing 69-year-old man from the 50-foot fishing vessel Sierra Seas near Village Islands off Kodiak, Sunday.

An Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew landed on a nearby beach where the mariner and his wife were picked up for transport to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak.

Watchstanders at the 17th District command center in Juneau received the report from Kodiak Police Department that the man was suffering acute stomach pains from preexisting medical conditions and needed assistance. The duty flight surgeon recommended medevac and the helicopter crew was dispatched to the scene.

“The Coast Guard provides a critical link to lifesaving medical services for mariners with medical emergencies,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Amy Canny, 17th District command center watchstander. “The capabilities of our helicopters allow us to retrieve and deliver patients to EMS; reducing the time it takes for patients to receive medical care.”

Weather at the time of the incident was reported as winds at 17 mph and 2-foot waves.

uscgnews.com