Coast Guard medevacs ailing fisherman 17 nm south of Southwest Pass

A Coast Guard aircrew medeveced a fisherman complaining of abdominal pains, approximately 17 miles south of Southwest Pass, Tuesday. The fisherman was transported to an oil platform and then to its helicopter pad, where Coast Guard rescue crews picked him up and brough him to West Jefferson Medical Center. (U.S Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans)

A Coast Guard aircrew medeveced a fisherman complaining of abdominal pains, approximately 17 miles south of Southwest Pass, Tuesday.. (U.S Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans)

NEW ORLEANS – A Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew medevaced a man from a fishing boat south of Southwest Pass, at around 1 p.m., Tuesday.

The crew of a HH-65 Dolphin from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans was dispatched approximately 17 miles south of Southwest Pass to pick up a fisherman who had been reportedly complaining of abdominal pain for three days.

The crew of the fishing boat tied off to a nearby oil platform and the ailing man was transported to the facility’s helicopter pad.

Crewmembers brought the man to the helicopter and then flew him directly to EMS at West Jefferson Medical Center at around 2 p.m.

“This case illustrates why it is imperative to recognize the first signs of an emergency or survival situation and take immediate steps to mitigate risks or call for help,” said Lt. Cale Jurin, co-pilot aboard the rescue helicopter. “In this case, the fisherman was lucky to be close to Good Samaritans on South Pass,”

The man’s condition was unknown.


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