KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, forward deployed in Cold Bay, medevaced an ailing fisherman from the 210-foot fishing vessel Alaska Juris near Cold Bay Sunday.
The Jayhawk crew rendezvoused with the Alaska Juris approximately 110 miles north of Cold Bay, safely hoisted the man aboard the helicopter and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services in Cold Bay for further care.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received a request for assistance from Healthforce Partners when the fisherman aboard the Seattle-based Alaska Juris reportedly suffered a hernia and required medical assistance.
Additionally, an Air Station Kodiak MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, forward deployed in Dutch Harbor launch to provide cover and self-rescue capabilities and an Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Kodiak was launched to provide communications support.
“This case illustrated the importance of forward deploying our assets to remote areas of Alaska, as well as the training and coordination of our aircraft crews,” said Lt.j.g. Alaina Fagan, a watchstander at the Coast Guard 17th District command center. “Without having the coverage and coordination of these crews, a proper and timely rescue may not have been possible.”
Weather on scene at the time of the incident was reported as 28 mph winds and 4-foot seas.
