A call went in to Coast Guard District 17 watchstanders at 2:28 pm on Thursday requesting a medevac.

The call came from the fishing vessel Katie Ann. The Katie Ann, at the time of the assistance call was more than 110 miles northwest of Cold Bay.

Aboard the Katie Ann was a 52-year-old crewmember suffering from symptoms of intestinal bleeding. Upon receiving the call, the Coast Guard Cutter Rush diverted toward the fishing vessel in order to lessen flight time for the helicopter launched to assist.

A MH-65 Dolphin helicopter launched from the deck of the cutter where it was forward-deployed from Kodiak. The aircraft flew to the scene and hoisted the 52-year-old man and transferred him to commercial medical services in Cold Bay, where he was further transferred to Anchorage for medical care. The fisherman was reported in stable condition at the time of the helicopter transfer to Cold Bay.

“A case such as this highlights why we always have a cutter on patrol in the Bering Sea,” said Lt. j.g. Evan Steckle, Coast Guard 17th District command duty officer. “Having a helicopter equipped cutter on patrol in the area, greatly reduces response times and helps us better ensure the safety of mariners at sea.”

The 378-foot High Endurance Cutter Rush is homeported in Honolulu, and on patrol in the Bering Sea. The helicopter used in the medevac was forward-deployed but based in Kodiak, where four such aircraft are stationed.