Mariner Medevaced from Bulker near Alaska

A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter crew medevaced a mariner from a 623-foot bulk carrier located approximately 75 miles southeast of Cold Bay, Alaska, Sunday.

Coast Guard 17th District Command Center watchstanders received a call from the crew of ALLSEAS MARINE S.A.’s bulk carrier Mykonos Seas requesting medical assistance for an injured crewmember.  The duty flight surgeon recommended the medevac, and the USCG Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk crew was launched out of Cold Bay to conduct the rescue.

The helicopter crew hoisted the mariner and transferred him to commercial medical services in Cold Bay for further transport to Anchorage and additional medical care.

"This case illustrates the importance of forward deploying our hoist capable helicopters in Alaska," said Lt. Cmdr. Tad Drozdowski, command duty officer, Coast Guard 17th District. "Our forward operating locations provide us a platform to respond quickly to emergencies at sea.”

Weather on scene during the medevac was reported as 3-foot seas and 11 mph winds, according to the USCG.