Coast Guard medevacs diver 26 miles northwest of Anclote River

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 12/21/2017 06:26 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Dec. 21, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
305-965-4672

Coast Guard medevacs diver 26 miles northwest of Anclote River

A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Station Sand Key, Florida, medevacs a 38-year-old diver from the 28-foot boat, All the Way, 26 miles northwest of Anclote River, Florida, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. The Coast Guard medevaced the man after he ascended rapidly from a dive and needed emergency medical assistance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Station Sand Key, Florida, medevacs a 38-year-old diver 26 miles northwest of Anclote River, Florida, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. The Coast Guard medevaced the man after he ascended rapidly from a dive and needed emergency medical assistance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Station Sand Key, Florida, transfers a 38-year-old diver to EMS at Anclote River Park, Florida, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. The Coast Guard medevaced the man after he ascended rapidly from a dive and needed emergency medical assistance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)


Editors' Note: Click on the images to download high resolution versions.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 38-year-old diver 26 miles northwest of Anclote River, Thursday.

Rescued was Nick Lichatz, 38.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a call at 12:33 p.m. via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from a boater aboard the 28-foot boat, All the Way, stating Lichatz ascended rapidly from a dive and was in need of emergency medical assistance.

A flight surgeon, from Coast Guard 7th District, Miami, was notified and recommended Lichatz be medevaced.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Station Sand Key was launched, arrived on scene, and embarked Lichatz and two Pinellas County Sheriff's Office EMS personnel. The boatcrew medevaced Lichatz in stable condition to Anclote River Park where more EMS personnel provided further care. 

For breaking news, follow us on Twitter @uscgsoutheast.

-USCG-