HOUSTON — A 54-year-old woman was medevaced Saturday morning after sustaining back injuries from a fall, aboard a 29-foot pleasure craft approximately 15 miles off Galveston.
The captain of the boat called Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders at 8:13 a.m. to report the woman’s condition and ask for assistance.
The watchstanders launched a boatcrew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat — Medium from Station Galveston.
The boatcrew transferred her, in stable condition, back to Coast Guard Station Galveston where Emergency Medical Services met her.
“It’s important to have a means to contact the Coast Guard on your vessel,” said Zack Edwards, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston. “In this case, the captain was able to contact us and ask for assitance from a VHF radio on board. That can make the difference in saving a life and in this case was the key to a successful rescue.”
The Coast Guard reminds all mariners to do the following before heading out on the water:
- Wear a life jacket at all times
- File a float plan
- Check the weather prior to departing the dock
- Have a marine band radio and visual distress signals on board
- Have a registered 406MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
- Have a Personal Locator Beacon
- Do not boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
For more boating information, go to USCGboating.org.
Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Galveston transport a medevaced victim to Emergency Medical Services, July 6, 2013. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Fireman Brandon Kreder
