The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) underway for the first time conducting at-sea tests and trials in the Atlantic Ocean Dec. 7, 2015. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works)
BOSTON — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew in conjunction with the crew aboard the future USS Zumwalt, the U.S. Navy’s new stealth destroyer, medevaced a 46-year-old man 40 nautical miles southeast of Portland, Maine Saturday morning.
At approximately 3 a.m Saturday, Coast Guard Sector Northern New England watchstanders received a call from the 45-foot fishing boat Danny Boy stating the captain was experiencing chest pains and needed medical assistance.
A MH-60 Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod was launched to medevac the patient. However, once on scene, the aircrew determined the hoist too dangerous due to the configuration of Danny Boy’s deck.
Sector Northern New England issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting assistance from nearby vessels.
The Zumwalt was conducting sea trials offshore and offered assistance. Zumwalt launched a small boat crew and transferred the injured captain to the destroyer. From there, the Coast Guard air crew successfully hoisted the man and transported him to the Portland Jetport where awaiting EMS took him to Maine Medical Center for further medical care.
“Our main concern with this type of medical emergency is to recover the patient safely and transport them to a higher level care as quickly as possible,” said Lt. David Bourbeau, public affairs officer at Sector Northern New England. “Fortunately the Zumwalt was operating in the area and was able to provide valuable assistance to facilitate a safe hoist evolution for the rescue crew.”
