Coast Guard medevacs man, 19, from shrimping boat

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/05/2017 05:21 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

April 5, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Office: (727) 535-1437 ext. 2143
After Hours: (305) 965-4672

Coast Guard medevacs man, 19, from shrimping boat

Crew members from the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Station Cortez medevac a 19-year-old man from a 78-foot sh 
Crew members from the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Station Cortez medevac a 19-year-old man from a 78-foot shrimping boat 7 miles west of Egmont Key, Florida, Wednesday, April 5, 2017. The man was transported in stable condition to Fort De Soto Bay Pier where EMS awaited. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) Crew members from the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Station Cortez medevac a 19-year-old man from a 78-foot shrimping boat 7 miles west of Egmont Key, Florida, Wednesday, April 5, 2017. The man was transported in stable condition to Fort De Soto Bay Pier where EMS awaited. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A 45-foot Response Boat Medium boat crew from Station Cortez, Florida, medevacs a 19-year-old man 7 miles west of Egmont Key, Florida, Wednesday, April 5, 2017. The man, a crew member for the 78-foot shrimping boat, Sea rider, was transported in stable condition to Fort De Soto Bay Pier where EMS awaited. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard medevacked a 19-year-old man Wednesday from a shrimping boat 7 miles west of Egmont Key.

At 10:07 a.m. watch standers from Sector St. Petersburg received a VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 call from the captain of the 78-foot shrimping boat Sea Rider. He stated one of his crew members was experiencing chest pains and in need of emergency medical assistance. A flight surgeon was notified and recommended the 19-year-old be medevacked.

The Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon crew and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew from Station Cortez were launched.

The Tarpon crew initiated first aid on the man and coordinated with the Station Cortez crew for transport to Fort De Soto Bay Pier where EMS were waiting. The man was transferred to the EMS in stable condition.

“When the shrimping crew found themselves in a medical emergency, they immediately communicated their distress,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Zach Wilson, a crew member aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon. “They quickly led us to their location. It helped both boat crews seamlessly coordinate to assist the individual in need.”

The Tarpon is an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg.

-USCG-