KAHULUI — The Coast Guard Tuesday hoisted a 43-year-old male fisherman from the Honolulu-based fishing vessel Lady Alice approximately 130 miles southeast of the Big Island.
A Coast Guard C-130 and crew circled overhead while an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter hovered over the fishing vessel in four foot seas and 15 mph winds early Dec. 11. At approximately 8 a.m., a Coast Guard rescue swimmer/emergency medical technician was deployed from the helicopter and successfully hoisted the injured fisherman aboard.
The helicopter then flew to Kahului, Maui and the fisherman was transferred to the C-130, which flew to Honolulu International Airport. Both aircraft are based at Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point on Oahu.
The injured fisherman — suffering from a near-severed pinkie finger — was transferred to an ambulance from the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Medical Service.