Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27J aircraft file photo by Lt. Scott Handlin
Crew aboard the cruise ship Star Princess contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders at approximately 5 a.m. requesting assistance for a passenger experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal issues.
A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircraft crew launched to assist.
Once on scene, the Dolphin crew lowered a rescue swimmer who assisted with hoisting the woman into the helicopter.
The Dolphin crew arrived at Stanford Hospital shortly after 8 a.m., and transferred the woman to awaiting medical personnel.
The woman’s condition is unknown at this time.
“I was impressed by the teamwork involved in completing this rescue,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabe Humphrey, the Air Station San Francisco rescue swimmer who assisted the woman. “With the help of the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center, a Coast Guard C-27 aircraft and the medical staff aboard the cruise ship, our MH-65 helicopter aircrew was able to focus on the critical task of safely hoisting the patient and expediting her transfer to the hospital, while keeping her as stable and comfortable as possible.”
