New York – The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced a man reportedly suffering from chest pains off a 21-foot pleasure boat about three miles north of Sandy Hook, N.J., at approximately 5:45 p.m. today.
Three people were on the pleasure boat Clearwater when one, a 46 year old man, reportedly began complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. The two other people aboard the Clearwater called 911. The emergency operator dispatched local Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and alerted Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook.
A Coast Guard Flight Surgeon recommended a medevac. Station Sandy Hook immediately launched a 25-foot rescue boat crew, and the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Sandy Hook, diverted from a routine patrol.
The man’s condition reportedly worsened once the Coast Guard rescue crews arrived on scene. The Sailfish crew transferred him to their cutter and rushed him to shore where EMTs were waiting. EMT’s rushed him to the Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J.
“We take complaints of chest pains very seriously and know that time is of the essence in ensuring a person receives appropriate professional medical treatment,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Buckwald, the coxswain of the Station Sandy Hook rescue boat. “Fortunately, the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish crew was close enough to immediately respond to render assistance and get this gentleman back to shore quickly.”
