Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 file photo
Medevaced was Sean Haas, 49.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a distress call via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 at 9:25 a.m. from a crew member aboard the 25-foot fishing boat, Awesome Angler. The crew member reported Haas suffered from a diving related illness and needed emergency assistance.
A flight surgeon from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater recommended Haas be medevaced and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from the air station was launched.
An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Clearwater was diverted to assist with communications and crew members aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg also launched to assist.
The Jayhawk aircrew arrived at 11:05 a.m., hoisted Haas and medevaced him to Florida Hospital Orlando.
