U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard coordinate to evacuate ill mariner from vessel off Guam

A U.S. Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crew from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 safely evacuated and transferred an ill mariner from a 459-foot U.S.-flagged ship on Tuesday, thanks to the coordinated efforts of HSC-25 and the watch at U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam. JRSC Guam watchstanders received the medical evacuation request from the captain of the ship at approximately 10:10 a.m. local time on Monday. The 60-year-old man, a U.S. national, reported heart attack symptoms. The ship was over 400 nautical miles offshore of Guam, outside of hoist-capable aircraft range. “This successful medical evacuation highlights the outstanding partnership between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and our maritime industry partners in ensuring the safety of life at sea around Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and getting mariners to a higher level of medical care when needed,” said Cmdr. Grant Johnson, the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue mission coordinator.