KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew conducted a medevac of an ailing fisherman from Angoon to Sitka Thursday.
A 17th Coast Guard District watchstander received the medevac request at 3:15 p.m. when a 50-year-old crewman aboard the fishing vessel Seabreaker collapsed for unknown reasons, hit his head and was having difficulty breathing. The vessel was transiting 24 miles east of Sitka.
The Seabreaker moored at Hidden Falls Hatchery in Angoon shortly after the request to assist with the rescue effort.The Jayhawk crew launched at 4:02 p.m., and the patient was moved via truck on a backboard to a clear area to await hoist. The aircrew arrived on scene, safely hoisted the patient and transferred him to Air Station Sitka, where he was delivered to emergency medical services at 5:43 p.m.
“The Coasted Guard is well versed with medevac operations such as this,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Jeremiah Roberts with the 17th District command center. “But the crew of the Seabreaker did a good job getting their crewman into a clear area so the Coast Guard could complete this lift with less difficulty, expediting the medevac.”
The patient was reported in stable condition. The Seabreaker is a 50-foot purse seiner homeported in Seattle.
