Coast Guard medevacs 52-year-old man 150 miles south of Kodiak, Alaska

Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew takes off from Air Station Kodiak, AlaskaJUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrew medevaced a 52-year-old man from the 600-foot cargo vessel Elsa, approximately 150 miles south of Kodiak, Tuesday.

The MH-60 Jayhawk crew safely hoisted the man and transported him to Kodiak Providence Medical Center for further care.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard District 17 command center received a report Monday evening from the crew of the Elsa that the crewmember was suffering from symptoms of a stroke. Watchstanders conferred with the duty flight surgeon who recommended 4-hour scheduled communications with the vessel to monitor the crewmember’s condition.

Tuesday afternoon the crew reported to watchstanders that the crewmember was suffering from convulsions. Watchstanders notified the duty flight surgeon who recommended immediate medevac.

“Air Station Kodiak’s focus on training, standardization and teamwork enables us to safely and successfully carry out long range missions,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kim Hess, a pilot from Air Station Kodiak. “This allows us to respond to medical cases involving mariners transiting through the Gulf of Alaska.”

Weather on scene was reported as 15–mph winds and 8-foot seas.


If you have any problems viewing this article, please report it here.