NEW ORLEANS — A Coast Guard aircrew medevaced a 56-year-old crewman from a tug and barge approximately 125 miles south of Southwest Pass in the Gulf of Mexico, Thursday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center received a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. from the articulated tug and barge Laurie Ann Reinauer that one of its crewmembers reportedly suffered from nausea and dizziness. A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended removing the crewman due to the possibility of stroke risk and other potential complications from post surgery. The crewman reportedly sustained the injuries during a boat lowering evolution.
A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched and arrived at the location of the Laurie Ann Reinauer at approximately 5 p.m. and hoisted him aboard. The aircrew transported him to West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero.
“This was a great case highlighting the teamwork and standardized training between Coast Guard units,” said Lt. Caitlin MitchellWurster, Air Station New Orleans pilot. “Having a fellow aircrew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile out there with us to relay information to the boat and back to the hospital allowed us to save minutes in a critical case.”
The crewman’s condition is unknown.
