PHILADELPHIA – The Coast Guard medevaced a fisherman, who reportedly suffered from a respiratory issue Thursday, approximately 60 miles east of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay’s command center were notified by crewmembers of the fishing vessel Illusion of the ailing crewmember at approximately 6 a.m.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Willow, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender homeported in Newport, Rhode Island, was directed by Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders to the Illusion and took the man aboard in preparation for Coast Guard aircrews.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City hoisted the man aboard their helicopter from the Willow and brought him to Atlanticare Regional Medical facility in Pomona, New Jersey.
“Any time people need help in a marine environment, it’s best to let us know as soon as possible,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Osenbach, a watchstander at Sector Delaware Bay. “Getting to people takes time and being on the water automatically makes a rescue more complicated. This crew did the right thing by reaching out to us when there was an increased medical concern.”