Coast Guard medevacs men from 2 fishing vessels near Cold Bay, Alaska

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District PA Detachment Anchorage Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Anchorage Office: (907) 428-4140 Cell: (907) 227-9248 PA Detachment Anchorage online newsroom

Coast Guard medevacs men from 2 fishing vessels near Cold Bay, Alaska

 

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew forward deployed to Cold Bay medevaced two men Monday afternoon from the fishing vessels Ocean Peace and Northern Patriot 135 miles north of Cold Bay.

The Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted a 21-year-old man aboard the Ocean Peace at approximately 5 p.m. and hoisted a 37-year-old man from the Northern Patriot at around 6:30 p.m. Both men were safely transported to Cold Bay Airport where they were transferred to commercial medical services.

 

Watchstanders at the 17^th Coast Guard District command center received separate medevac requests from the Ocean Peace and the Northern Patriot. The 21-year-old man aboard the Ocean Peace was reported to be suffering from sea sickness and loss of consciousness. The 37-year-old man aboard the Northern Patriot was reported to have suffered a hip injury.

 

The watchstanders notified a Coast Guard flight surgeon who recommended the launch of the Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed to Cold Bay to medevac the men.

 

"We had excellent communication and coordination between the 17^th District command center, the Air Station Kodiak crew and the two fishing vessels," said Petty Officer 1st Class Luis Fagalnifin, 17^th District command center watchstander. "Our aircrew transported the two men safely to a higher level of medical care thanks to everyone moving with a sense of urgency." 

 

Weather at the scene of the medevac consisted of 30-to-40-mph winds and 14-to-18-foot seas and 10 miles visibility.

 

 

-USCG-