Coast Guard medically evacuates 29-year-old man from commercial freighter

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest
Contact: 13th District Public Affairs
Office: (206) 220-7237
After Hours: (206) 391-5864
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Coast Guard medically evacuates 29-year-old man from commercial freighter


SEATTLE — Coast Guard crew members from Station Port Angeles medically evacuated a 29-year-old Chinese man from a 665-foot commercial freighter, Great Fluency, in the Strait of Juan De Fuca, Washington, Sunday morning.

The man was reportedly exposed to phosphene gas and was safely transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles for further medical attention.

At approximately 7:20 a.m., Coast Guard District 13 watch standers received a notification from the Great Fluency that a member of their crew had been exposed to phosphene gas, a common chemical aboard vessels of this type.

Coast Guard crew members, aboard a 45-foot Response Boat Medium, launched from Station Port Angeles at 8:07 a.m. and arrived on scene at 8:45 a.m.

The man was reportedly nauseous but able to climb down a Jacob’s ladder without assistance.

The man was transferred to Emergency Medical Technicians standing by at Station Port Angeles, who then transported him to Olympic Medical Center for further medical attention.

-USCG-