ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A 66-year-old man, suffering from medical issues while aboard a cruise ship approximately 180 miles southwest of Marco Island, Fla., was rescued by the Coast Guard Wednesday.
At approximately 2 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., received notification from the captain of the Carnival Cruise Ship Paradise concerning a passenger aboard who suffered a medical illness while transiting to Tampa.
Watchstanders launched an aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater.
When the helicopter crew arrived on scene, the aircrew lowered their rescue swimmer, hoisted the man and transported him to Tampa General Hospital for further care.
“The quick response of medical staff aboard the cruise ship and the aircrew of the helicopter made this mission a success,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Omar Arietta, search and rescue controller at the sector. “Offshore hoists can be particularly dangerous and challenging.”
